Enough is enough

January 13, 2003

Dear Sir,

At a time when the impact of addiction is at an all-time high in our community, our public addiction field is at an all-time low. Forty percent of our current public resources for treating addiction are no longer offering professional clinical services.

At least three independent reports on the condition of our public addiction system all came to the conclusion that the system needs major improvement. Those evaluations were preformed by overseas experts in the addiction field. Instead of demanding improvement, our Minister of Health said that many of the islands drug agencies were doing a good job and attacked the leaking of the confidential reports. Our own Minister of Health's denial of the scope of problems that exist is an example of how poor our public addiction system is from the very top. I question what our Minister of Health considers a good job when two of our five treatment programs are little more then a place to hang out or sleep. Is he blind to the shape of Focus, Fair Havens and until very recently Camp Spirit? What exactly is the NDC doing?

Why can't they work in true partnership with the Counsel Partners Charitable Trust, Bermuda's only addiction specific fundraising organisation? Why do they employ individuals that have very little experience with the addiction field? Would you go to a doctor that was not qualified? It is no wonder that the NDC has a poor track record, a huge executive staff turnover rate and has yet to solidify the long overdue national plan on addressing the needs of those in our community impacted by addiction.

Would anyone expect to get paid for not working? No, what we put in is what we get out. In the same way, how can we expect improvement to clients and our community as a whole when only limited clinical, professional and ethical work is being done? They have failed miserably after being entrusted with the lives of not only the many clients needing clinical services, but also the community as a whole that is greatly impacted by the fear and reality of crime directly related to active addiction. As a Bermudian and an addiction counsellor, I am discouraged and angry at what I've seen happening for to long in our public addiction system. It is time to say enough is enough.

It seems that our only hope is to publicly pressure these trusted servants into doing their job or into stepping down so that the work can get done. The current job being done is an offence to all of us directly and indirectly impacted by addiction. As a community, we can no longer expect the millions of taxpayer dollars being spent on addiction prevention, education, and treatment to actually help those impacted by addiction.

It is not realistic to expect health and improvement in a system that is sick itself. We are very naive if we think that the major social issue of addiction is going to improve with a formula that does not support change through proven accountable clinical and professional work. Lip service is very different then actual service.

Limited and poor addiction related services in our community directly translates into broken families, violence, fear, etc. If our addiction prevention, education and treatment system does not greatly improve, get used to those realities Bermuda.

GEORGE BOTELHO

Addiction Counsellor

Pembroke

Rest assured

January 28, 2003

Dear Sir,

Please allow me some space to highlight the island's school counsellors. In the United States, the American School Counsellor Association (ASCA) is sponsoring National School Counselling Week, February 3-7, 2003. ASCA's purpose is to focus public attention on the unique contribution of professional school counsellors within the school systems. ASCA encourages its members to highlight their impact in helping all students achieve school success and plan for a career.

School counselling has evolved over the years into a specialised profession. Bermuda's professional school counsellors have a Master's Degree in Guidance and Counselling, Psychology, Social Work or a similar discipline. The public school Guidance and Counselling Programme has a set of standards in place to effectively service its students. Rest assured, your public school counsellors are working tirelessly to empower Bermuda's students to take responsibility for their futures and give them guidance on how to achieve academic and career success.

Every day, school counsellors work with programs that address the personal/social, academic and career needs of all students. In addition, as with recent tragic events, school counsellors work with families and the community to cope with unexpected crises.

Thank you for allowing me this opportunity to acknowledge my colleagues here in Bermuda.

LEEANN SIMMONS, M.S. Ed.

National Certified Counsellor

National Certified School Counsellor

Lets raise standards

January 30, 2003

Dear Sir,

When I read the story featuring a parent's complaint regarding the quantity of homework being given to school children, I felt compelled to respond. As a parent of three children who works full time, I understand the amount of time and focus it takes to assist your child with his homework. Yes that's right, time and focus. Lets get our priorities right. What is more important than your child's education? I agree children need to participate in recreational activities but homework must come first. How can we hold the Government Education system and teachers accountable for academic standards if we are not willing to do our part? We must show an interest and participate in our child's education. I get the feeling that some parent's think this isn't their job, but it is. After all, who is your child's first teacher? You are!

I would encourage all parents who have issues with the amount of homework their child is receiving to speak to the teachers and work with them. It may not be the quantity that is causing your child stress, they may have a learning issue or need additional support and guidance from you. I applaud the efforts of the Government teachers, and feel that we should raise the bar and expect more from students and parents alike. If additional homework is going to help raise the standards, then bring it on!

AN INVOLVED PARENT

Pembroke

Give us Fox News!

January 29, 2003

Dear Sir,

Once again, The Royal Gazette has tantalised us with another entertaining article about the Fox News Channel, the top rated, smash hit cable TV news channel in the US ("On the Tube", January 27). Unfortunately, Fox News Channel is still not "on the tubes" here in Bermuda, unless you have a satellite dish, because CableVision doesn't even carry it. Let's hope that Mr. Elmas doesn't make us wait any longer to get Fox News Channel "On the Tube" here in Bermuda, so we can see what the rest of the world is enjoying!

FOX FAN

Hamilton Parish

Switching sides

January 30, 2003

Dear Sir,

Mr. Christian Dunleavy, I will admit to being ignorant of all the facts, but I have to agree with your assessment of the PLP. And yes, I voted for them but as long as they have Ms. Smith as their leader, I'll vote independent. I do however think that some of them are doing a good job, including Ms Webb

PEACE

St. David's