Cathy Belvedere, acting executive director of Centre for Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention (CADA), says that since their opening last September a lot of helpful services have been rendered to our community.

The agency focuses on prevention. Prevention is about creating conditions that promote a healthy, safe and productive environment for all Bermudians and by reinforcing the behaviours that supports this lifestyle.

CADA's mission statement reads: "We prevent alcohol, tobacco and other drug abuse by increasing awareness through information dissemination, by providing technical assistance to community groups and by influencing social environmental change in Bermuda.'' According to their statistics they provided 111 activities which helped 4,992 people from the day they opened last September 31 through March 31 of this year.

They are very appreciative of their volunteers. "We are extremely fortunate at CADA to have committed people who volunteer their time and energies to our agency.

"We are on the look out for more volunteers to help out at the Prevention Resource Centre each week. There are creative areas for help in photography, the newsletter and video taping.

CADA encourages people to make responsible decisions about the use of alcohol and they have embarked upon a new mission aimed at affecting real change to attitudes referred to as BRASS. That is Bermuda's Responsible Alcohol Sales & Services. It is designed to achieve three goals: To reduce the incidence of drinking and driving in Bermuda.

To prevent the selling and serving of alcohol to our underage youth.

To reduce the selling and serving of alcohol to intoxicated customers.

Mrs. Belvedere explained: "By implementing a BRASS programme in your establishment, you are demonstrating `reasonable care' when serving or selling alcohol, decreasing your risk of liability. You reduce underage drinking and help save lives.'' The National Drug Commission has incorporated their BRASS programme as part of the national alcohol policy for Bermuda and funding has been provided for fiscal 2000-2001 to develop and offer the programme to the alcohol sales and hospitality industry on the Island.

The month of April was designated Alcohol Awareness Month by CADA. Bermuda does have a problem of serious alcohol abuse.

According to the most recent survey by the National Drug Commission, roughly one in 10 people in Bermuda are heavy drinkers. CADA is supporting and participating in programmes that educate young people and adults about responsible drinking.

During the week of April 10 to 13 CADA and Teen Services conducted special presentations to Sandys Secondary School, Spice Valley Middle School and Clearwater Middle School.

The presentations featured nine students from each school in drama skits written and produced by CADA. One of the messages was: "If you're drunk or high, you can't make good decision about sex. Don't do something you might not remember or might really regret while intoxicated or high from alcohol or drugs.'' CADA has participated on the boards and committees of the Inter Agency Committee for Children and Families, Cedarbridge Literacy Action Team and the Bermuda College Discovery Board, their partner on the Bermuda Prevention Network and continue to advocate for families affected by substance abuse.

To broaden the community prevention effort , CADA has formed strategic partnerships with a number of local prevention agencies such as: National Drug Commission The Council Partners Charitable Trust PRIDE The Family Learning Centre Bermuda Life Skills Group When asked about the aspects of her job she most enjoys, Mrs. Belvedere said: "I enjoy the ability to serve the community by giving people the opportunity to have healthy and safe lives. I love being creative and coming up with effective programmes.'' She says one of role models has been Martha Dismont at Family Learning Centre because she has learned a lot from observing her.

Mrs. Belvedere spoke about the future of CADA and where she sees the agency and herself in the next decade: "In ten years? Not quite retired. From generation to generation we see a lot of changes . Within a decade our agency will hopefully have made a difference.'' CADA teaches the harmful effects of alcohol, tobacco and other drug abuse and one of their main strategies is increasing awareness of the nature and effect of these substances. They conduct prevention workshops and seminars and refer people to professional counselling agencies when appropriate.

They have an excellent library with many books on drugs, alcohol, addiction, self-esteem, and a variety of self-help books on parenting and being a teenager. It is a wonderful forum of information ran by very competent and compassionate staff.

CADA is located in the Stables Building 91 Reid Street East, Hamilton. Their phone is 295-5982 and fax is 295-6016 and email is: cada yibl.bm.

Cathy Belvedere, acting executive director of CADA, offers valuable information on substance abuse. She is a very compasssionate leader dedicated to helping others.

DRUGS DGS