close to 200 students expected to participate.

At the lock-in, from 6.30 to 11 p.m., Primary Six and Seven students from the host school and Somerset Primary, West End Primary and Cedar Grove will receive insight from five guest speakers on how to cope with peer pressure in high school and how to make healthy, wise lifestyle choices.

With the lock-in theme "Ready or Not Here I Come'' school counsellor Mrs.

Marilynn Smith said the aim of the lock-in is to help parents and their children to "take control of the drug situation''.

"These kids need to get ready and their parents need to get ready,'' she said. "They're (the children) on the move and we have to help them get on with a positive life.'' Shadow Health and Social Services Minister Mr. Nelson Bascome will be special guest speaker. He will be joined by Government's nurse epidemiologist Ms Rhonda Daniels, Teen Services social worker Miss Michelle Wade, youth activist Mr. Troy Simons, and Sandys Secondary counsellor Mrs. Peggy Jackson.

Some 20 parents and teachers have also volunteered to help out at the lock-in.

Somerset Primary student Denise Taylor said she is looking forward to the lock-in, particularly since it is her first.

"I've always wanted to go on one,'' the 12-year-old said. "I was always jealous when my brother had lock-ins.

"I'm looking forward to discussing problems further than the classroom, I'm also interested in problems that Bermuda has and how we can help.'' Denise's sentiments were echoed by her peers, who also said they look forward to making new friends.

Mrs. Smith said the lock-in's effort is an extension of what community groups such as Sandys Against Drugs and the National Drug aim to do.

"We want to continually remind our children about the dangers of drug use,'' she said. "But at the same time we have to give them positive alternatives.'' JOINING HANDS TO WORK TOGETHER -- That is what Primary Six and Seven students of Southampton Glebe, West End Primary, Somerset Primary and Cedar Grove plan to do during Friday's lock-in.