Beverly Causey-Smith profiles the woman with one of the most important jobs in Bermuda.

When one walks into the bright office of Eudora Browne-Zuill of Bermuda Youth Counselling Services one is overwhelmed by a sense of pleasant, professional calm.

From the moment of meeting Ms Browne-Zuill her kind and nurturing aura prevails. On one of her walls is a saying: "A positive attitude is a powerful source''.

Ms Browne-Zuill is a powerful source working with youth and families to help with problems caused by experimentation with alcohol or other drugs.

Following a career change in the early '90s she attended University of Toronto and obtained a BA Degree in 1994.

Due to her high academic achievement she was awarded an Open Fellowship from University of Toronto and obtained a Masters in 1995 in criminology.

In 1996 she went to Hazelden Foundation, an inpatient treatment facility in Minnesota where she became certified as an addictions counsellor. Her studies at Hazelden were funded by the Council on Alcohol and Drug Abuse.

During May, 1998 she became an internationally certified alcohol and drug abuse counsellor through the Bermuda Addictions Certification Board. She is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in substance abuse with a concentration on adolescents.

Ms Browne-Zuill said: "BYCS is a part of the treatment network in Bermuda. We support a safe, healthy, drug free environment for our youth and families. All client information is held in confidence.

"We try to determine the nature and extent of alcohol or other drug use and related behavioural concerns through our youth addictions outpatient treatment programme.

"We interpret all relevant assessment information and discuss findings with the client and explore treatment and support options.'' When asked about the history of BYCS she explained it was developed out of research conducted by the National Drug Commission (NDC) in response to cries for attention to Bermuda's troubled youth. The focus was youths believed to be involved in anti-social behaviours directly related to alcohol and other drug use.

Results of data collected indicated a need for such services for youth.

Dr. Lynda Price, treatment coordinator for NDC, was responsible for submitting a proposal for a youth addiction outpatient treatment programme.

Ms. Browne-Zuill came on board in January of 1998. "I say that Dr. Price gave birth to BYCS and she hired me to do the nurturing.'' When asked about the most important aspect of BYCS she responded: "We are in existence to assist our young people not only with problems related to alcohol and other drug use and abuse but to encourage them to focus on other life areas.

"We are very supportive and non-judgmental of our youth. We help them to understand that we understand they are going through a developmental stage rather than a transition in adolescence.'' She shared with me a quote from Goethe: "If you treat an individual as he is, he will stay as he is, but if you treat him as if he were what he ought to be and could be he will become what he ought to be and could be.'' Ms Browne-Zuill is married to Terry Zuill and they have two daughters, Carla and Keisha.

When away from work she enjoys lengthy power walks. "A few years back I used to run a five-minute mile,'' she added with a laugh.

ON THE FRONT LINE -- Eudora Browne-Zuill, programme director of BYCS, says: "I am a manager as well as a therapist dedicated to helping our high risk youth involved with alcohol or drug abuse.'' DRUGS DGS