this year's International PRIDE Award for National programme of the year.

Bermuda has been chosen from among 426 PRIDE organisations in 26 countries for its efforts in 1998 to expand its programme in every school.

PRIDE Bermuda was formed in 1986 and involves more than 5,000 people in its anti alcohol and drug campaign.

PRIDE and its offsprings Youth to Youth and Parent to Parent is supported by the Council Partners Charitable Trust.

Its mission is to "prevent the abuse of alcohol and other drugs through educating and empowering youth and adults in support of a healthy lifestyle''.

Youth to Youth is the only organisation on the Island that is totally run by the youth themselves.

PRIDE has programmes in 11 of 18 elementary schools, four of five middle schools, and both public high schools.

The group will leave the Island on April 6 and return on April 11.