A campaign to steer Bermuda's athletes away from drugs and heavy drinking was launched yesterday.

But one of those involved admitted it may be too late for many adult athletes, because they will have already decided to abuse drink or drugs.

Cathy Belvedere, the assistant director of the Centre for Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention (CADA), said awareness campaigns might help younger people to turn away from harmful substances.

Ms Belvedere was speaking after the launch of Bermuda Council for Drug Free Sport's (BCDS) `Drugs Don't Play Here' campaign.

The scale of the problem affecting sport was revealed in yesterday's Royal Gazette when departing national football coach Robert Calderon admitted he was severely hampered in his choice of players because he knew some would fail drug tests.

CADA, the National Drug Commission and BCDS launched the campaign with the first of two leaflets aimed at informing athletes about the pitfalls of drugs and excess drinking.

The brochures, which are particularly aimed at young Bermudians, look at the emotional, psychological and physical effects of drugs both on the athletes and their communities.

The first two brochures look at alcohol and explain the drug testing procedures introduced in sport and the penalties involved.

Future leaflets will examine the effects of cannabis, cocaine, heroin and tobacco.

Other brochures will address the roles parents and teachers can play to make the Island's sport drug-free.

Ms Belvedere told The Royal Gazette the campaign had its best chance of success if it targeted young athletes before they develop habits.

"For adults representing Bermuda, it comes down to their choice, but for young people, hopefully we will see a change by the time they start to represent Bermuda or even play for a club side,'' she said.

"I think we'll see more results in the next generation. For people now, its a problem.

"It is a difficult decision if they are going to use drugs and they want to play and know they are going to be tested, but it is their decision if they want to continue sport or continue using drugs.

"When they are legally able to chose to drink or not, if they chose to drink we hope they will do it in moderation. These kids are more aware.

"Many times adults have not had good information but at the end of the day, the decision is theirs.''