The Moment of Consciousness, a nationwide event sponsored by the National Drug Commission, is one of the many initiatives endorsed by the NDC to help Bermuda in the "war on drugs''. Introduced to Bermuda by the Up with People (Bermuda) alumni in 1991 and organised by co-ordinator Mrs. June Augustus and assistant co-ordinator Mrs. June-Ann Furbert, the Moment of Consciousness was adapted from "Drugs Don't Work'', a leading Connecticut Prevention Organisation in the United States. The Bermuda campaign in 1991 was a resounding success. And during the time leading up to `The Moment', which was celebrated at 10:55 a.m.

on October 25, 1991, over 30,000 individuals pledged to do something personally to fight substance abuse. This year, "The Moment of Consciousness'' campaign has even more significance, according to Mrs. Furbert for the drug problem has escalated to unacceptable levels, producing both violence and crime. "The extent of the problem suggests that it will, indeed, take as many of us as possible to effectively fight the problem. We need another national partnership,'' said Mrs. Furbert. The commitments made back in 1991 need to be renewed in 1995, she noted, adding that the infrastructures are in place to embrace these commitments and "The Moment'' is an excellent catalyst to prompt individuals to get involved and stay involved. The National Drug Commission, which was created by the National Drug Commission Act in 1993 and became operative in January 1994, approved the proposal to execute "The Moment of Consciousness'' campaign in March 1995. "They believe it would make a difference so they agreed to fund the programme and provide vital resources,'' said Mrs. Furbert. "And we share in their declaration of the war on drugs.'' The "Moment of Consciousness'' was a concept developed by an advertising/public relations agency that was retained by "Drugs Don't Work'' to execute all communications activities. It evolved as a response to needs discovered in focus groups which were conducted with corporate, school and college administrators prior to launching the campaign, according to Mrs.

Furbert. The focus groups revealed that many people feel overwhelmed by Make the war on drugs last forever feel that it is the government's job to address the issue. Still, others feel the government, law enforcers and substance abuse organisations should take care of the problem. But individuals must recognise they can do something to fight the problem and they must be convinced that, without a collective nationwide effort, the problem of substance abuse will not be substantially reduced, she said. Ultimately, "The Moment'' evolved as an event that could succeed at raising the level of consciousness about the need to fight drug abuse, involve the broadest cross-section of the community in a collective voice and secure pledges for personal commitments to do something about fighting substance abuse. It is a five-minute period of time when Bermuda will come to a virtual standstill. Across the country, activity will stop in businesses and classrooms, and the Island will pause to allow everyone to personally reflect on the problem of substance abuse and re-affirm their personal commitment to do one thing in their lives to fight it. Mrs. Furbert said the results of "The Moment of Consciousness'' on October 25, 1991 were encouraging. And a "wall of commitment'' was constructed to reflect and measure the individual commitments made during the campaign. There were 32,275 personal commitments, 269 organisations, businesses and individuals, and 22 churches involved. The campaign was also well supported by the media, said Mrs. Furbert. This year, a wall of commitment has also been built. And a special telephone line has been in operation since June 27 and will continue to take calls pledging commitments until October 27. For every call received, a strand of coloured ribbon is weaved into the wall. "With thousands of ribbons, each representing a person who has committed to do something more, we will create a symbolic statement of the collective will of the people of Bermuda,'' said Mrs. Augustus. "Everyone can participate in `The Moment','' she added. The majority of grocery stores around the Island have printed brown bags endorsing The Moment. And milk cartons have also been distributed with information relating to The Moment on them. "We have written to agencies, supermarkets, schools, businesses and households in an effort to make people aware of The Moment,'' said Mrs. Augustus. "And with that, we have included ideas for observing The Moment.'' Said Mrs. Furbert: "Unless we do something to make a difference, Bermuda will have a (drug) problem. "But eventually, regardless of whether the drugs get into the Island, if people don't buy them, we won't have a problem,'' she said, noting that education is the key.

"Bermuda is too small. We can't just brush the problem under the carpet and the seriousness of it must be brought to the front line,'' she said. Indeed the seriousness of substance abuse will be brought to the forefront tomorrow, October 20th at 10:55 a.m., when Bermuda will pause for five minutes and people will be asked to make a personal commitment to fight substance abuse.

It is hoped people will make the "war on drugs'' last forever. PHOTO WALL OF COMMITMENT -- (From left) Assistant director of `the Moment' Mrs. June-Ann Furbert, volunteer Mrs. Jean Mylod and NDC Secretary Miss Shavana Wilson mark each caller's personal commitment to fight the war on drugs. As of Thursday, October 12, 28,540 people had pledged to help fight substance abuse.

MOONGATE PLEDGES -- The Wall of Commitment at `The Moment' in 1991 showed that over 30,000 individuals pledged to fight the war on drugs.

DRUGS DON'T WORK -- These committed youngsters were pictured during the Moment of Consciousness in 1991.