National Security Minister Michael Dunkley yesterday launched Alcohol Awareness Month, saying the issue of alcohol abuse transcends party policy.

Joined by Shadow Minister Wayne Furbert, OBA backbencher Nandi Outerbridge and representatives from the Bermuda Police Service and CADA, Mr Dunkley referred to the results of the 2013 National Household Survey on Drug Use and Health.

“The results indicated that alcohol has indeed become a part of the social fabric in Bermuda’s culture,” he said. “This survey showed that alcohol remains the most prevalently used legal substance and that there was a higher tendency for persons to drink alcohol if they have friends or family members who get drunk.

“Most drinking was reported to occur on the weekends with ‘binge drinking’ more prevalent among males. When it comes to perceptions of risk or the harms associated with substance abuse, drinking alcoholic beverages and becoming drunk were perceived to be the most harmful of the risky behaviours — even more so than smoking marijuana often.”

Despite the perception, Mr Dunkley said one in ten Bermudians surveys were drunk at least once in the past month and almost half ignored legally required health cautions on alcohol advertisements.

The study also showed that around 83 percent of respondents were in favour of roadside sobriety checkpoints.

“We will continue to work with CADA and other partners to tackle these challenges,” Mr Dunkley. “We have seen some positive steps recently with the passage of the Liquor Licensing Amendment Act 2014, supported by all Members of the House and Senate.”

He said the Ministry would continue to work with the Ministry of Transport and the Attorney General’s Chambers to continue promoting alcohol awareness and creating legislation where necessary in the best interest of all Bermudians.