The moment you meet Cathy Belevedere she renders a warm smile and makes you feel as if you are in the company of a good-hearted friend.

One readily assesses that she is a charismatic nurturer and perfect for her job as associate director of the Centre for Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention, (CADA).

Founded 25 years ago, CADA is a charitable organisation originally started by two individuals from Alcoholics Anonymous as a council on alcoholism.

In 1992 CADA hired its first executive director, Gordon Johnson, who administered treatment and facilitated many workshops and conferences to help certify professionals in this field.

Today CADA focuses only on prevention of substance abuse and Mrs. Belvedere explained these are exciting times for them.

"The main thrust behind opening our new resource centre is information dissemination. One of my key responsibilities will be managing and operating the Resource Centre which has its grand opening September 25.'' The new Resource Centre, located in the Stables Building, 91 Reid Street East, Hamilton, will soon have a web site established about their information and the information to other helping sites. They have a database for all the helping agencies too.

"I enjoy referring people to appropriate places for help and giving people a positive direction when they are experiencing hurtful times in life,'' explained the compassionate Mrs. Belvedere.

Mrs. Belvedere said the Resource Centre would have four new computers, one with a braille keyboard.

Substance abuse topics will be available on computer discs. Some of the topics will explain what a prevention resource centre is, the roles of parents, personal asset building and facts about stress, tobacco, and healthy living.

"It is a wonderful opportunity to work in an environment to make change and impact the community. I am so happy to help others and I really enjoy my role here,'' Mrs. Belvedere shared.

Mrs. Belvedere joined CADA in 1996 as the office manager. For 24 years she worked her way up the corporate ladder to the position of assistant manager in the investment division at the Bank of Bermuda. Looking for an alternate career she performed freelance project work before joining Price Waterhouse in 1995.

She holds the deputy chair for Bermuda Life Skills Group and volunteers. She co-chaired the Healing Families Forum which is a committee made up of a cross section of people form the community who have comet together to assess and address the needs of families as a whole who are suffering as a result of drug abuse. She serves on the College Discovery Advisory Board of the Bermuda College.

Mrs. Belvedere is very active in the Peace Lutheran Church as church council president, assistant minister and youth group facilitator. She has been married to Giuseppe Belvedere for 17 years and they have three sons: Alex, Antonio, and Michael.

If you have a need for CADA or interested in learning more about their work, please phone Mrs. Belvedere at 295-5982 or fax 295-6016. E-mail is cada yibl.bm.

Associate Director: Cathy Belevedere's mission is to direct Bermuda's first Prevention Resource Centre, a new aspect of The Centre for Alcohol and Drug Abuse. She will increase awareness and knowledge of alcohol, tobacco and other drug risks, problems and resources.

DRUGS DGS