time, host a conference this week aimed at showing other alcoholics they can have a good time without drinking.

Members of AA from the Southeast United States, Bahamas, Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands will gather in Bermuda for the 1992 Southeast Regional Conference of Young People in Alcoholics Anonymous (SERCYPAA), which runs from Thursday to Sunday at Warwick Camp.

Bermuda won the bid at last year's conference in the US to organise it this year.

And while young people, aged 40 and under, from the Bermudian AA chapter formed a committee to host this year's conference, the event is open to everyone.

A spokesman for the group said the idea of the committee was to involve the younger members in a constructive service, while spreading the AA message.

AA describes itself as "a fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength and hope with each other so that they may solve their common problem''.

Their purpose is to stay sober and help other alcoholics to achieve sobriety.

The members of AA believe in trying to avoid making their own misery.

This year the theme is "Happy, Joyous and Free''.

"It is a conference to show members of AA how to have fun and have a goodime without drinking alcohol,'' one member said.

Activities during the conference will include meetings, guest speakers who are recovering alcoholics, workshops, a barbecue, and a dance.