Teacher Mrs. Eugenie Simmons and social worker Mr. Vaughn Harvey joined the National Drug Strategy's interim steering committee.

And their six month appointments were immediately applauded by Mr. Alastair Macdonald, committee chairman.

"I think they will both make a difference,'' he said.

He added the appointments would relieve the workload of the committee's overstretched staff.

And they would allow staff to focus on two key areas -- young people's programmes, and community development.

Mrs. Simmons has an MA in Special Education from Howard University.

For the past 10 years she has worked as a teacher, deputy principal, and educational therapist.

She has run the "Time Out'' programme for students with behaviour problems.

And she has been a community activist in Sandys, playing a key role in starting "Sandys Against Drugs'' (SAD).

Yesterday Mrs. Simmons said she hoped to form similar organisations in other parts of Bermuda.

Mr. Harvey, for his part, has devoted his energies to working with the young.

Director of Teen Services over the past four years, he will work with two committees of young people.

These are the Student Advisory Committee, which is made up of 14 to 18-year-olds; and the Youth Advisory Committee, comprising young adults.

Mr. Harvey will try to combat problems of drug and alcohol abuse among youths.

Mr. Macdonald did not rule out Mrs. Simmons and Mr. Harvey extending their six months with the committee.

"Their appointments have been made as a result of Government funding in the recent Budget.

"We would also like to thank the Education Ministry for their considerable cooperation in allowing Mrs. Simmons to take six months leave of absence.'' Mr. Macdonald said the new drugs authority should be set up once MPs pass the necessary legislation when they return to Parliament.