identity crisis, despite the fact that it has been in existence for the past 20 years.

Many people are in the dark about just what the Council does, particularly as it has found itself at times confused with NADA, the National Alcohol and Drug Agency. In fact, unlike NADA, a division of Government, CADA is a registered charity, with separate but similar goals. Founded in 1974 by a group involved with Alcoholics Anonymous, the organisation was then called the Council on Alcoholism -- modelled after the National Council on Alcoholism in the US.

Those who are aware of the Council's activities know that during its existence it has launched a number of public campaigns aimed at reducing drug and alcohol-related problems in Bermuda, as well as helping to lay the groundwork that led to bringing Dr. David Archibald to Bermuda to head the Royal Commission on the Use and Misuse of Illicit Drugs and Alcohol.

CADA has also put a great deal of emphasis on the training and development of Bermudians working in the field of addictions, funding local conferences and providing scholarships for individuals to attend educational courses and events overseas.

Its scholarship programme boasts a number of alumni who have become highly successful in their fields - for example Vaughn Harvey, former director of Teen Services and currently abroad studying for his Ph.d., Deborah Carr, director of the Employee Assistance Programme, and Addiction Services director Bryant Richards.

The Council has been instrumental in the promotion and formation of a number of other organisations and programmes, such as LionsQuest, PRIDE and the Employee Assistance Programme. "CADA has really had a pivotal role at times, having allowed people to explore other options, to bring new ideas to Bermuda,'' said Gordon Johnson, CADA's executive director.

Mr. Johnson will spend the next 18 months overseeing the implementation of the Council Partners, while CADA's executive co-ordinator Patricia Haycock continues the day-to-day running of CADA.

"I have essentially been seconded to the Council Partners until it is in place,'' said Mr. Johnson, "and then I will be in a position to begin to deliver the programmes CADA envisions for the community.'' Programmes to be implemented include: Youth Programmes, within which two community development workers will work with the Department of Education and the Lions Quest Programme to distribute informational material on alcohol and drugs to students in Bermuda's schools.

They also plan to put in place a high school alcohol education programme, aimed at reducing the incidence and prevalence of alcohol related problems among children of high school age.

Family Programmes, which will include a library resource centre, providing accurate and easily accessible information about alcohol and drugs. It will offer such material as books, periodicals, videos, audio tapes, and other items, all of which can be taken home and perused at leisure.

Parent Support Programmes, offering education in family alcohol and drug issues and encouraging parents and families to network together to foster positive parental skills and attitudes.

They also hope to provide a 24-hour, seven day a week telephone support line, providing support during times of crisis as well as access to pertinent information. It would also act as a general community referral resource.

Programmes for Seniors, including the Brown Bag Drug Identification Programme.

With the help of local pharmacists, CADA hopes to implement a drug inspection service for seniors to ensure that their prescription and non-prescription drug use is safe.

The pharmacists will visit seniors groups and check to see what drugs they are taking and in what combinations and quantities, in order to pinpoint possible hazards.

Community Programmes, with the main focus being on a community alcohol awareness programme aimed at adult drinkers. The Council hopes to arm these people with the skills and knowledge that will enable them to recognise and avoid alcohol problems.

It also plans to offer support for the development of programmes and services addressing the needs of Bermudians with regard to alcohol and drug issues.

This would, in part, involve working in partnership with other organisations to plan workshops and conferences within the community.

Scholarship Programmes: CADA will continue to offer the Alfred G. Smith Education and Scholarship initiative, providing funding for local professionals and para-professionals to further their education in fields relating to alcohol and drug treatment, education and support in Bermuda. Each of these programmes will regularly be monitored and assessed, to ensure that they are working as planned and are being effective.

After three years, they plan to implement an independent study to measure the community's awareness of alcohol and drug awareness in Bermuda, comparing it with the results revealed in the 1985 Archibald Report. This will allow them to assess the effectiveness of CADA's programmes and of the efforts of other groups working to alleviate Bermuda's drug problems.

Mr. Johnson is confident CADA can make a difference by offering the kind of programmes the island requires.

"We feel we are meeting the community's needs in the right way, and at the right pace.'' DRUG WAR -- Dr. David Archibald (left) with Premier Sir John Swan and NADA chief Mr. Victor Garcia.

DRUGS SUPPLEMENT DGS