A citizen?s organisation campaigning against the scourge of narcotics has welcomed moves to get communities to pull together in the fight against drugs and anti-social behaviour.reported yesterday how Minister for Community Affairs Dale Butler promoted the Parishes Achieving Change Together (PACT) initiative at a public meeting in Warwick on Wednesday. Getting young people who are misbehaving to see the error of their ways is more likely to be achieved by their fellow parishioners intervening than outside authorities such as the Police or Government, the meeting heard. The idea of communities working together is also one expounded by Bermudians Against Narcotics, and spokesman Takbir Sharrieff said last night: ?It?s a pleasure to hear about this kind of initiative being encouraged by the Government. BAN applauds this type of activity and supports it fully. We want to get our neighbourhoods back, and it?s important for Bermudians to do that for themselves.?

As part of its ongoing campaign, BAN is planning a major street rally in the town of St. George?s on February 11. Like a previous rally in November in Hamilton, this will feature speeches by visiting experts, Government representatives and community leaders. ?St. George?s has the same problems as other parts of the Island with vandalism, youth unrest and a breakdown in communication between youths and adults,? said Mr. Sharriff, who revealed that BAN is already planning a third rally in Somerset in April.