formed, it has grown to an organisation of 5,000 people which is one of the strongest weapons in preventing the epidemic of drug abuse.

It achieves this by educating both adults and youth about the dangers of drugs.

PRIDE's mission is to prevent the abuse of drugs and alcohol by educating and empowering youth and adults of Bermuda to embrace Healthy Lifestyles.

PRIDE believes the strongest defence against adolescent drug use is the parental instinct to protect the young.

It advocates a community approach to drug prevention, as no institution can solve the drug problem alone. "Business can't, Government can't, Schools can't, parents can't -- but TOGETHER we can!'' Their programmes involve preschoolers, elementary, middle, high school and college youth and their families and the communities that they live in.

Throughout the year, PRIDE plans numerous events where people from all walks of life attend to be informed, in touch and involved in alternative events which do not involve the use of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs.

Youth involved in PRIDE work around four strategies: Information and Education Personal Growth Environmental Change.

Drug Free Fun Opportunities are provided for youth to be a part of the Youth Performance Teams, Puppet Team and Step Team.

There is an Advisory Board fostering leadership building through training sessions which teaches how to impart information to peers and plan events for their peers. Together these entities effect a positive peer pressure group.

Adults and parents who get involved are open to parenting sessions through PRIDE's Parent to Parent programme. They learn skills in recognising when drugs may be an issue in their family situations.

The Parent Connection fosters a peer group for adults and parents wanting to share information or feelings. Their programmes are numerous and varied and continue to work thanks to all of their volunteers.

PRIDE offers training to volunteers to enable building skills within the organisation. Volunteers meet new people for a positive cause and become supportive toward Bermuda's Youth.

PRIDE partners with many individuals, families, churches, schools, and community groups.

PRIDE involves all the family They promote the positive message that being drug free is a healthy choice.

PARENT TO PARENT This programme encourages positives attitudes, positive parenting skills and networking among participating parents, as well as offering a solid education in family alcohol and drug issues.

It provides effective strategies to deal with the complex family issues, and builds community parental support. Through a series of videos, Milton Creagh or Bill Oliver discuss the following points while the facilitators lead group discussions around the information: 1. Parent to Parent provides a critical understanding of the reasons children get involved with drugs and their effects on behaviour.

2. Parent to Parent outlines the prevention process and provides an "early warning'' system for parents.

3. Parent to Parent outlines observable lifestyle indicators, which would signal positive or negative changes.

4. Parent to Parent trains parents to use the young person's desire for independence as the vehicle for developing positive qualities.

5. Parent to Parent trains parents to communicate expectations clearly as well as to turn unfilled expectations into an opportunity rather than a problem.

6. Parent to Parent teaches parents to feel good about their children while feeling bad about their negative behaviour and to communicate those feelings to achieve the greatest benefit.

7. Parent to Parent breaks through denial and provides a basis for self-diagnosis.

Thirty-two members of our community have been trained as facilitators. They can deliver the programme at places of employment, community groups, churches, schools, hotels or anywhere people are interested. There are a series of eight videos that can be shown over two days or eight lunch hours.

*** "You can't really teach anybody anything...

You can create an environment Where they discover the truth for themselves.'' Socrates PRIDE Youth Programmes Statement of Purpose: To prevent the use and abuse of drugs and alcohol by educating and empowering youth in our community to support healthy, positive, drug-free living.

Youth to Youth Team members: Make motivational presentations using song, dance, and active learning techniques to convey relevant and appealing drug-free messages.

Plan and conduct drug-free activities for the School and community.

PRIDE's programmes PRIDE Pals PRIDE Pals is an Innovative drug prevention program for primary school students.

The PRIDE Pals programmme is designed to provide a foundation of prevention for students who have made the decision to be drug free. PRIDE Pals, for s students aged 7-11, is the earliest level of PRIDE Bermuda's continuum of educational services to strengthen the growth and development of young people.

With an emphasis on education, the PRIDE Pals curriculum incorporates fun activities and performing arts with learning.

PRIDE Pals teams incorporate character development, leadership, and life-skills building. The PRIDE Pals educational approach, materials, and lessons promote positive peer power, leadership, personal values, teamwork, effective communication skills, organisation and planning skills, and performing arts skills.

The PRIDE Pals programme and curriculum is aimed at providing students with the reasons why youth should choose to be drug free.

Club PRIDE Club PRIDE is the second level of PRIDE's comprehensive approach to the prevention of drug abuse.

Club PRIDE involves middle school students, ages 11-13, in character and leadership development and life-skills building. Club PRIDE educational approaches promote teamwork, positive peer power, friendship, leadership, youth advocacy, and effective communication, organisation, planning, and performing arts skills.

The Club PRIDE offers peer-to-peer education, develops peer assistance skills, encourages low risk decisions, and helps create a safe School environment with the "no use'' message.

DRUGS DGS