Local teens were told Saturday that practice makes perfect and a drug-free youth builds a successful future.

Dwayne Bryant was speaking at the 13th annual Parent Resource Institute for Drug Education (PRIDE) conference at the Sonesta Beach Hotel.

Minister of Health Nelson Bascome opened the morning's activities with a warning to parents that they must monitor all of the influences from the media.

Explaining seemingly innocuous gestures found in pro wrestling, Mr. Bascome said: "As parents we don't know what our young people are watching. The message in the media is powerful. Young people, you don't have to watch that garbage.'' Later more than 150 teens heard Mr. Bryant explain they must know their purpose in life to succeed.

Pointing to Grammy winning singer and rapper Lauryn Hill's hit "That Thing'', Mr. Bryant said: "Girls... it's a great song. But what she didn't tell you is to keep them legs closed.'' He added: "Guys will tell you something that you may want to hear. But you have to know that you can't allow yourself to be used. That thing is sacred, take care of it and save it.'' Youth hear anti-drug message Mr. Bryant, 28, spent five years with Johnson & Johnson as a sales representative. He left the field to start his own motivational speaking career and has appeared on Oprah Winfrey.

Using the example of basketball star Michael Jordan, Mr. Bryant said success came only through practice and hard work.

Julie Dunstan, research officer of the National Drug Commission, said adults should get involved in anti-drug programmes for young people and younger children must be targeted.

Ms Dunstan compared for adults the 1997 Schools Drug Survey with similar statistics from Canada and the United States.

"The use of alcohol and tobacco among Bermudian teens is down since 1994,'' she said. "From the stats we need to ask how young we should start. We need to build a healthy individual from as young as possible.''