Association in order to combat drugs and alcohol abuse in the sporting arena.

Chairman of the organisation, Mrs. Katherine Watson, responded to comments made last week by BFA president Mr. Richard Thompson.

She said The Council Partners are in "full support of the BFA's commitment to deal with the issues of alcohol and drugs''.

Mrs. Watson added: "We applaud the statements made by Mr. Thompson last Wednesday and we look forward to working with the association through Parents Resource Institute for Drug Education (PRIDE) and their Youth to Youth programme, the Lions Quest programme, and the Council on Alcohol and Drug Abuse.'' She also said that the organisation would not be working specifically with any one soccer player but they would meet with the BFA to discuss the programmes that are offered and would best benefit the players.

In a Press conference last week, Mr. Thompson commented on the report of the board of inquiry into drugs in soccer and said he knew that the sport had some problems, "but now the biggest challenge is to clean up football''.

He added: "It is time the community did something about it, and the BFA wants to play its part.

"We accept the comments made by the board in their report and we accept the recommendations the board makes. But as the report also points out, we cannot work alone. We urge the community to help us, especially the football community.'' Mrs. Watson also said the organisation, which promotes education and prevention, said the teenage soccer players could get involved in PRIDE's Youth to Youth programme and "through that they would be excellent role models for the younger soccer players.'' But she added: "Only with community cooperation are we really going to be able to address the issue. We would also be willing to talk to anyone or any other sporting organisation.

"We would also encourage all sporting organisations to get involved in the National Drug Commission's Sports Against Drugs initiative.

"Parents of soccer players should also get involved and join PRIDE so they can learn how to talk to the youth about alcohol and drugs.

"No parent can have too much knowledge or be too well equipped.'' Mr. Thompson also acknowledged that his biggest task will be to get club affiliates to agree with the wide range of recommendations made by the five-member board which was headed by former Premier the Hon. Sir John Sharpe.

He added that he strongly agreed with the board suggestions that the players representing Bermuda be tested for the use of marijuana and other drugs.

And he said the BFA would endorse a "Sportsmen Say No To Drugs'' campaign and that efforts will be made to curtail the misuse of drugs on football grounds.

Mrs. Watson will meet with BFA officials today to outline the various programmes being funded by The Council Partners and to examine how these programmes can work to meet the BFA's needs.