The ongoing community struggle to help people who, for whatever reason, find themselves prisoners of acoholism, and illegal drugs, continues with around-the-clock efforts by various organisations and concerned groups, and much of their work seldom makes headlines.

When a person is able with help to climb away from some form of addiction, it is always a plus for any society because every success means that person could be a guidepost for others, who often feel abandoned in their nightmare of inner torment.

The reasons why many seek escape through either alcohol or other substances is obviously quite complex. Early childhood experiences combined at times with genetic links are believed to be contributing factors. That is why it is so important to have organisations such as Harbour Lights, and others, who offer programmes to assist those who have fallen prey to the dark world of addiction.

The road back can be extremely difficult, and unfortunately with the best of care, not every story ends with success.

However those engaged in this demanding work deserve credit for keeping the gate open for help at all times. That requires committment at the highest level.

Too often we tend to think of adults when focusing on the problem of addiction, and the impact it has on community life.

Sadly much of what we see in troubled adults may have started during the very early years of their lives.

While it is true that many successful adults toiled through early challenges to make their mark in life, for some the challenges are too much and the door widens for a negative exepriences.

Most of that happens without fanfare, and it is not until someone later in life stumbles into alcoholism or hard drugs that the need for help becomes essential. Mainly because anyone with an addiction problem can be a threat not only to the public, but also to themselves.

Trying to spot potential problems before they explode into anti-social or criminal behaviour can be difficult, even with experts familiar with the subject. This is why it is so vital for children to have good guidance during those critical early years.

In today’s complex fast moving society, with parents of varying age groups hard-pressed to teach basic values while locked in a struggle to make ends meet at a time when the economy is far from solid, the task can be more than challenging.

The parents themselves must remain focused in setting an example when it comes to basic values no matter how stressed out they become, especially when a lack of jobs can be more than discouraging.

A child picks up signals from adults, and when there is too much negativity it can often lead to a lack confidence, and confusion, over what life is all about.

In recent years the family unit has been under attack by a wide range of distractions including changing lifestyles, and deterioating values such as respect and discipline so important in family and community life.

All the talk in the world about what Bermuda needs could be overshadowed by failing to recognise how important it is for our children to have that vital start in life if there is to be continuity in values that certainly held this island together during difficult times.

Those values which usually are taught in the home could mean the difference between whether this island home of ours will grow stronger, or face never ending battles over who should hold the reins of power.

When the mind of a child is lost in any society, it simply means that the vital starting point may have been missed.