Counselling Services (BYCS), located at 127 Front Street, Hamilton.

Mr. Mansfield (Jim) Brock, chairman of the National Drug Commission, formally declared BYCS open at a noon reception and gave thanks to the advisory committee members comprised of: Betsie Baillie, Joan Blades, Joanne Dill, Rosemary McNaughton, Calvin Ming, Jr. and Janette Musson.

He also thanked programme director, Eudora Browne-Zuill and commended her. Ms Browne-Zuill and her small devoted team of assistants have worked non-stop for the past year to realise their dream of a youth counselling service.

BYCS is a youth addictions outpatients treatment programme where skilled staff work with youth and families to help with problems caused by experimentation with alcohol or other drugs. The young clients are aged 11 to 24.

Mr. Brock said: "BYSC is a confidential service which uses an assessment process to determine the nature of the problem in individual cases.

"Following analysis of the assessment process, a qualified BYSC counsellor sits down with the client and discusses the situation. If needed, a treatment plan is put into place.

"The goal is to identify negative behaviour and to develop personal goals and strategies to deal with it.'' BYSC is part of an addictions network under the guidance of the National Drug Commission.

Mr. Brock concluded: "We are today one step closer to ridding our community of the scourge of substance abuse. One day at a time, one step at a time.

"Working together, we are moving towards a more enlightened Bermuda, one in which all our young people can realise the full extent of their capabilities.

We owe our children nothing less.'' DEDICATED TO YOUTH -- The staff of Bermuda Youth Counselling Services (from left): Counsellor Edward Rewan administrative assistant Jeanann Simons and programme director Eudora Browne-Zuill.

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