Alcohol is killing Bermuda's young people, and adults must take responsibility for ending under-age drinking say community leaders.

The issue is the focus of Alcohol Awareness Month launched yesterday at the House of Assembly by the Centre for Alcohol and Drug Abuse (CADA).

"Alcohol is a drug,'' said Cathy Belvedere, CADA's acting executive director, in opening the proceedings.

She cited startling statistics to justify the need for a concerted effort to save Bermuda's young from the perils of alcohol.

"By the time they are seniors in high school, 70 percent of our children report they have tried alcohol. Thirty eight percent of our young people aged 15-17 currently use alcohol; and 79.8 percent of all our young people surveyed say that alcohol is easy to obtain... Many young people refuse to take the problem of under-age drinking as seriously as they should,'' she said.

Ms Belvedere said many adults believed that their responsibility ended with making sure their children didn't drive after drinking.

"It is illegal for young persons under 18 to consume alcohol,'' she said.

"Kids are not social drinkers who enjoy a glass of wine with their meals or go to cocktail parties. In statistics from other countries, 60 percent say they drink when they are upset and nearly 40 percent of those drink alone.

"By the time they get to college, 40 percent of them have become `binge drinkers' which means they have had five or more drinks in a row during the previous two weeks.'' Children who drink alcohol increase their chances of being involved in a bike crash, suicide or violent activity, Ms Belvedere continued.

Shadow Health Minister Kim Young agreed the law on under-age drinking must be enforced.

Dessaline Waldron, chairperson of the National Liberal Party addressed a different angle of the problem of alcohol abuse -- the victims.

She said all adults should pledge to be "that role model who doesn't abuse alcohol'' or drugs.

Events planned for the alcohol awareness campaign this month include an Alcohol Screening Day on Thursday at the Bermuda College, a Youth Summit and parent empowerment workshops. A number of restaurants will be offering groups a free non-alcoholic drink with dinner during April.