information can be obtained. In our case, the Centre for Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention, CADA, is primarily providing information on substance abuse.

This includes, alcohol tobacco and other drugs such as cocaine, steroids, marijuana, and ecstasy.

Prevention, here at CADA, is an opportunity to provide good information on the effects of both use and abuse of drugs. The information we provide is not only about the effects of these drugs on the body, but also, in the case of abuse, the effects on the family, the workplace, friends and even the environment.

There are many social aspects related to the use and abuse of drugs.

Every person in Bermuda is affected in one way or another. For this reason, our resource centre will house information on healthy lifestyles in general, on services available in our community and about pro grams that provide drug free activities.

A prevention resource centre can be set up in many ways. It depends on the audience or group in the population that it is being set up for.

Because we will be the only resource centre for the entire island, we have chosen to provide any health related types of information, this includes, books, video tapes, CD ROM's activities and information, as well as information workshops and the use of drama to deliver a message.

We will have a database of referral services for the community when they are looking for a certain type of help or assistance. This information again, is not only drug related.

Because we accept the fact that there is a ripple effect on the community when someone in a household or a relationship is using drugs, we will have information on all helping services.

For instance, a female could come in looking for information on alcohol. In providing her information, she may also request information on a service that assists women who are being abused. This abuse would be the result of having a relationship with someone who is abusive when they drink too much. This sort of information would be available.

We are able to provide information on alcohol and its effects as well as provide her with information on where she can seek further assistance for herself.

We will have information for young people and we encourage the schools to bring the students in to have learning at the centre. Our design is along the lines of a museum/library/media centre. We have videos for a wide range of ages that can be shown on site as part of a tour or borrowed for use in a classroom or public showing. Of Course, "The Judgment'', a Bermuda play written by Shaun Crockwell, an inmate at Westgate is available for presentation with our staff.

The internet is available for the community to research health issues or visit prevention web sites. Young people who have research for school projects are always welcome to come in. The internet access is protected to prohibit them from reaching sites that parents may be wary of. CD-ROM's with interactive games for one or more people are available as well as CD ROM's with general information on health issues.

We encourage people to call for information packets or for information about services available to the community. The PRC is open from 8.30am through 6.00pm Monday through Friday and from 9.00am until 12 noon on Saturdays. We are located at 91 Reid Street East in The Stables building and can be contacted at 295 5982.

Contributed by Cathy Belvedere of CADA DRUGS DGS