The Island's sole drug and alcohol counselling service for teens is set to expand its role in the battle to save high-risk youth.

Bermuda Youth Counselling Services plan this year to begin group therapy sessions focusing on anger/emotion management.

Also in the cards are family support groups and tobacco smoking cessation counselling.

Formed two years ago, BYCS is run by Eudora Browne-Zuill who looks forward to an expanded role: "The kids who come to us are the ones who have acted out,'' she said in her office which overlooks Front Street.

"But I am concerned about those who are using, but may be better able to cope or cover their use, and therefore are not drawing attention to themselves.'' Mrs. Browne-Zuill should know. In the past two years she has seen about 150 teens and young adults come through the BYCS doors for the six-week intensive in-house counselling.

Many of those young people have passed through the full counselling process or are still in the aftercare phase, where their progress is monitored.

A significant number of the teens BYCS sees are also referred to other organisations in Bermuda depending on their needs.

BYCS is funded by the Health and Education Ministries and the National Drug Commission, and is overseen by the NDC.

NDC Chief Executive Officer Derrick Binns said of Mrs. Browne-Zuill's plans: "I'm certain that the introduction of the group counselling in the coming year will broaden the impact of the BYCS in Bermuda.

"Mrs. Browne-Zuill was instrumental in providing a good start to this vital part of the battle for our young people.'' Her experience with the Island's "at risk'' youth has prompted the former accountant to write to the Liquor Licensing Authority, voicing her concern about underage drinking.

"I did it because I have young clients who are out there at night in the clubs getting drunk,'' Mrs. Browne-Zuill said. "I have one who found herself in a situation that she would not normally find herself in after drinking.

"A lot of the kids who have been here have been out in bars and have been served alcohol. We need people to have valid and proper IDs to be in these places. And while we need some kind of consequences for giving liquor to teens, we should not forget parental responsibilities.'' Most of the clients report cannabis as their drug of choice, followed by alcohol and her clients report much of their alcohol and drugs is often given to them by adults.

Many are in unhealthy family and social environments and by the time their school counsellors have noticed, their behaviour has changed.

"I'm hoping that we can be expanded to accommodate the needs of all teens, not just those who have alcohol and other drugs related problems,'' Mrs.

Browne-Zuill said.

She will be travelling abroad for education on tobacco use among teens and will then pass it on to her staff of one other counsellor.

"The aim of the group therapy will be to introduce a group of individuals whose parents are substance abusers to help them understand that addiction is an illness,'' she said, "that it's not their fault, and to help them cope and receive an education into what addiction is about.

"We want to let them know that they are not alone and show them how to take care of themselves.'' BYCS can be found at Fagan's Alley in the E.R. Williams Building next door to the Supermart or by calling 295-7548.

Saving our youth: Eudora Browne-Zuill, right, directs the only organisation aimed at teen drug and alcohol abuse. On the left is administrator Donna Jacobs, and counsellor Nikkita Scott.