The National Drug Commission has introduced a programme designed to "make a difference in the lives of young people''.

The Commission was first made aware of "Uncommon Results - A Programme for At-Risk Youth'' by a group of concerned local sportsmen including Calvin Symonds, Leroy Lewis, Kenneth Bascome and Rudolph Lawrence.

Team-leader Ewart Brown, also Shadow Human Affairs Minister, said: "Our group does not have a name. We are just a group of people trying to save a country.

We want to make a difference.'' And during an Elbow Beach luncheon, the two organisations told Premier Pamela Gordon, Opposition Leader Jennifer Smith, Education Minister Jerome Dill, Magistrate Cheryl-Ann Mapp and other invited guests about the Florida based programme.

The founder and president of Uncommon Results, Mark Charley, explained the programme's main objectives and techniques.

The overall aim of Uncommon Results was to "penetrate the resignation, hopelessness and `I don't care' attitude that troubled young adults are facing,'' he said.

The programme deals with those youth who are "falling through the cracks'' from the criminal offenders to the physically, sexually and mentally abused.

It also helps children who are abandoned, in-and-out of foster care and emotionally traumatised.

Participants undergo an intensive ten-day programme -- usually held at a residential camp -- to help develop professional, personal and organisational skills.

"The point is to get under the surface to find out what's really going on,'' Mr. Charley said.

The programme's guided group discussions enable participants to share painful past events.

These conversations attempt to surpass the individual's "loud'' exterior in order to hear their "softer'' interior.

"Many of the kids find it hard to open up to a large group at first,'' said Mr. Charley, "but, when they see and hear the others' stories and pain, it becomes somewhat easier. They then know that they are not alone.'' Participants also receive one-on-one counselling from extensively trained programme volunteers and therapists.

"They (the volunteers and therapists) quickly become their confidants,'' he added. "Usually, they stay in touch long after the camp is over.'' In an effort to strengthen self-esteem and respect, the camp also involves the participants in physical challenges such as rope courses and cross-country runs.

"This shows the kids that if they are brave enough to do that, then they are brave enough to walk away from a fight, brave enough to take a step forward, brave enough to overcome their problems,'' said Mr. Charley.

The programme strives to solve these problems by giving the kids the determination to stop their criminal activity, increase their sense of self-worth, increase school attendance, improve relationships with family, secure gainful employment, manage their anger and set and achieve positive goals.

Thinking and setting goals are only the bottom step, said Mr. Charley. "You can think all you want, but thinking will only get you so far. You need to act in order to become what you want.'' "You must say to yourself: `What do I need to do to be what I want to be','' he added. "Then, you must make the positive advances to get there.'' Mr. Charley then produced a video which documented an Uncommon Results camp held for 42 Louisville and Cincinnati youths.

The video fully captured both the pain and anger all of the participants were clearly feeling. The emotional broadcast visibly touched many of the luncheon guests including Ms Gordon.

It conveyed the importance of "making a difference in the lives of young people'' and stressed the encouraging cliche "never give up''.

Mr. Charley was confident that his programme could provide troubled youths from all walks of life with the determination to outshine the past and succeed in the future.

Production manager Denise Ochoa expressed her enthusiasm at the prospect that Bermuda's youth may also benefit from the programme.

"My hands are literally trembling because I am so excited to see Uncommon Results may help your Island's young people too,'' she said.

Uncommon Results have held programmes in more than 20 US cities as well as throughout Canada, England and Northern Ireland. They have also been active in community-based organisations, government agencies and public schools.

Recognising the everyday problems that many youth around the world share, Mrs.

Ochoa stressed the importance of them realising what happens today affects tomorrow.

"For every action there's a reaction - whether your life moves forward or not,'' she said.

"We must assist the youth in getting beyond the past because that is where their futures are,'' she added.

Mrs. Ochoa described Uncommon Results as "unique'' saying the programme "provides youth the opportunity to dramatically alter the way their lives are heading''.

By using the guided group discussions, Mrs. Ochoa said the kids were able to share their experiences and feelings without being criticised. "They can talk without us passing judgment or evaluation,'' she added. "We just listen.'' Mrs. Ochoa said the programme also worked with parents because "kids don't come with a manual''. It was necessary to support and assist the parents as well as the youth, she said.

"Parents can not give up on their kids,'' she added.

DR. EWART BROWN: "We are just a group of people trying to save a country.''