working with Bermuda's schools, through the innovative Lions-Quest programme.

David Cardell, chairman of the Lions Bermuda Zone Drug Awareness Committee and country co-ordinator for Quest International, explained that the Lions-Quest liaison came about in the early 1980s, when Lions International began looking for ways to address the problem of drug abuse as a worldwide issue.

"A commission of experts from around the world was set up, including Dr.

David Archibald, and all of them felt that education was the key to the problem.'' The Lions then set out to develop an anti-drug curriculum for schools, and encountered an organisation called Quest, a non-profit organisation dedicated to "creating family-school-community partnerships for positive youth development.'' The programme first came to Bermuda with an initial training course in 1986, but it was not until 1989-90 that it was pursued with the dedication and financing currently being devoted to it by the Bermuda Lions Clubs.

Since then more than 200 teachers, parents, guidance counsellors, principals and guidance counsellors have undergone the intensive three-day course needed to implement Lions-Quest.

There are three separate facets to the programme: Skills for Growing, for ages 5-10 (P1-P6), Skills for Adolescents for ages 10-24 (Middle School age group), and Skills for Action, a pilot programme which should be implemented next year.

The Education Department has thrown its weight fully behind Lions-Quest, and in 1992 began the process of fully integrating the programme into the school curriculum. In 1993 a Life Skills and Career Officer was appointed by the Education Ministry, responsible for overseeing the expansion of the programme into the schools.

All the Island's Government Primary One, Two and Seven teachers have now been trained by Lions-Quest, and Primary Three and Four teachers should be trained this fall. The following year, Primary Five and Six teachers will also be trained.

"The thinking behind it is that children have to understand that the decisions they make can have an enormous influence on their life. This programme aims to train them from the age of five in ways of decision-making, through role-playing and so on, so that they can make good decisions, no matter how the rest of the group feels.'' Skills such as conflict resolution, self-discipline, self-appreciation and community appreciation are also highlighted, and there is a community service aspect to the programme, with each class taking on a special community project each year.

Mr. Cardell said the response from teachers had been extremely good, and they were finding the programme had a positive impact on the children. The Lions plan to continue supporting LionsQuest in the schools and the community.

"We are now putting together the funding, through Council Partners and Lions, to see that it is supported in any way we can.'' DRUGS SUPPLEMENT DRG