States was rocked when parents discovered their young children had been using drugs at a backyard birthday party.

Determined to take a stand, those parents formed PRIDE and since then PRIDE has grown with membership in over 80 other countries, including Bermuda.

It was during the spring of 1986 that the Council on Alcohol and Drug Abuse (CADA) sponsored a group from various backgrounds and professions but with a common bond, namely parenthood, to attend the PRIDE conference in Atlanta, Georgia.

Upon their return, four members of this group decided to establish a similar organisation locally...PRIDE Bermuda.

PRIDE advocates a community approach to drug prevention: "No institute can solve the drug problem alone. Businesses can't, Government can't, schools can't, parents can't, but together we can.'' PRIDE's mission statement is: "To prevent the abuse of drugs and alcohol by educating and empowering youth and adults in support of healthy lifestyles in our community.'' Parents Arthur and Jacquline Wade have seen how the PRIDE programme has helped in the development of their daughter, Imari.

They wrote: "Ever since she was a baby, Imari was always adventuresome. Her interest in sports and outdoor activities is her passion. Imari loves to travel and meet people, especially her cousins who live in the United States.

"Imari loves to interact with her friends and is very compassionate and sensitive to other peoples' feelings.

"Before Imari joined PRIDE her hobbies were soccer, music and fishing.

However, these activities were not enough to keep her motivated and were evident in the less than positive attitude which she displayed all too often.

It was apparent that she was not being challenged as boredom and trouble making were becoming the norm for her. There definitely was a need for positive social activities and mentoring in her life.

"Imari was starting to become reclusive and a bit tough, responding mainly to her `posse' in a way. We, as parents, were concerned and felt obligated to help Imari find more positive things to do. We were particularly searching for something that she would enjoy doing with others in her age group. PRIDE was recommended to us.

"In the beginning, Imari was skeptical about joining PRIDE. She felt it was out of her territory and she wasn't confident about making new friends and working with adults. However, it wasn't long before we noticed that she was talking about PRIDE and eagerly looking forward to participating in PRIDE's activities.

"Her behaviour and her schoolwork started to improve, which did not go unnoticed by her teachers. They encouraged her by complimenting her on the improvements she had made in both her attitude and schoolwork. Last term she made the Honour Role for the first time at Sandys Middle School.

"We, as parents, feel that Imari is now a much happier and better person. She accepts the fact that she has to be responsible and accountable for her actions.'' "This is something that my wife and I are very proud of. She is showing a very keen interest in Business Studies and has indicated that she would like to pursue a career in this field.

"Imari actually looks forward to attending PRIDE's meetings and events and I think most of all the good friends she has made in the organisation. It is our hope that with the help of PRIDE, Imari can be a role model for other teens.''