Rap music is out. So too is an untidy room. TV is a rarity. And the day kicks off at 6 a.m. ... with a lung-bursting three-mile run.

Oh yes, lights are out at 10 p.m. and any creeping from rooms after dark can be picked up by monitors.

It's a military-style regime which may not appeal to Bermuda's army of rebels without a cause.

But speak to Susan Wallace and the image of pot-smoking adolescents is thrown on its head.

In fact, discipline is not only good for them ... deep down many actually want it! Ms Wallace knows what she's talking about: She is founder and executive director of a residential and outpatient programme for adolescent substance abusers and their families in Rhode Island.

The programme boasts a 95 percent success rate. And Ms Wallace believes what's good for America is good for Bermuda.

"Many children cannot handle freedom very well. We keep everything very structured and they respond well to a safe and secure environment. They actually like it.'' That's not to say they take to it straight away. Most do not. And what about depriving them of rap? "We don't allow music which has messages about killing, such as some rap music.'' With a smile which is almost a grimace, Ms Wallace adds: "The children know I don't like it.'' One of those calling for Bermuda to take a leaf out of America's book is Rosemary McNaughton, executive director of the Island's Fair Havens Christian Care Association.

"A lot of adolescents here are in need of such a service. It is long overdue,'' she says.

"We need a long term treatment facility for women with alcohol and drug concerns on the Island.'' Ms Wallace's three-year-old male programme is based at Corkey House; the one for girls is at Caritas House. It has been running 26 years.

Each scheme has 30 youngsters aged 13 to 17, many living in.

"Adolescents have specific needs and you can't mix them with other people,'' says Ms Wallace, who last came to Bermuda 20 years ago when the Island's drug problem had not reared its head.

"The programmes are set up to be opposite to how these adolescents have lived.

"They are in a structured environment which provides discipline and nurturing. We definitely take a no-nonsense approach.

"We also interview parents because parental involvement is required.'' Ms Wallace says her programmes require a $1.5 million budget. They are 70 percent federal financed; the rest of the money coming through fund-raising.

"We have a big waiting list. The programmes are based on ability to pay.'' A typical day for the children begins with a three-mile run before breakfast.

"Breakfast is about sevenish, depending when they finish their runs. The food is absolutely fabulous,'' says Ms Wallace, who is also a columnist with the Pawtucket Times, focussing on parenting, drug and alcohol prevention, intervention and treatment and family issues.

"Some people believe children should cook their own food, but we don't take that approach.

"Why not provide good food? We hired a cook. There is tons of food and we obviously follow nutritional diets.'' After breakfast comes room inspection.

"There are two or three kids a room. The facilities are quite beautiful and we also have a basketball court and weight room.

"We lay great emphasis on being tidy and clean. The children have to be ordered and disciplined.'' Morning and afternoon therapy sessions follow in which the adolescents are split into small groups.

"We have five or six groups where we discuss a number of issues, such as why they are angry.

"Sometimes we explore sexuality, although we find girls prefer to do this.

"Boys are more uncomfortable with the subject. They also don't like discussing homosexuality. They tend to be very homophobic, even though there may be a child who is gay sitting next to them.'' Ms Wallace says the children have individual tutors, which she hires. Schools in the area pay for them.

Children learn core subjects such as maths and sciences.

"We have a recreational period when the youngsters can play basketball and generally pound each other to let off their energy.

"In the evenings we have organised programmes, such as programmes of `women for sobriety' and `men for sobriety' in which there are speakers. There are also alcohol and drug education schemes.'' She adds: "One night a week the children can watch television. Their favourite programme is ER. Parents come on Thursday nights.'' They also go on outings.

"We've taken them to plays, basketball games and the Boston Museum of Science.'' Perhaps surprisingly smoking is severely curbed, but not banned. Efforts, however, are made to cut it down.

"We have cessation programmes.'' Ms Wallace says most of the staff come in during the day, adding: "The in-patient programmes last six months, while the outpatient ones last as long as necessary.'' How successful are they? "I would say we have a success rate of better than 95 percent. That's not to say they stay off drugs immediately after leaving us.

"But I would say most of them are clean by 21. We keep track of all of them.

The parents help us to do so.'' Ms Wallace was guest speaker yesterday at a Fair Havens luncheon meeting.

She spoke on adolescent and substance abuse as part of Fair Havens' educational forum series.

Susan Wallace