anti-substance abuse organisations in a bid to strengthen the overall fight against drug abuse in Bermuda.

Mr. Cole Simons, Chairman of the Council's executive committee, said: "The move is in line with the reorganisation that has been underway at the council over the last six months.

"We want to work more closely with groups that traditionally have had a hard time finding a way to communicate and coordinate their goals and objectives in the fight against substance abuse.

"We know that working together we are all more effective than working apart.'' The chairman added that the council was having discussions with representatives from Fair Havens Christian Association, a residential drug treatment facility for women; PRIDE, a parents group involved in the education of young people about drug use and abuse; and Listen, a group that takes its anti-drug message to different schools.

"The Council is working with these and potentially other groups to identify the best way to pool resources, plan seminars and workshops and manage fundraising campaigns,'' Mr. Simons said.

"Not only will we all be working more efficiently, but we will address the great confusion that exists in the public's mind about who is doing what about the drug problem.''