PRIDE Bermuda will celebrate 20 years in the industry of preventing drug use.

The anniversary celebrations will take place over the weekend. On Saturday there will be a fun day and picnic, at Turtle Beach, Clearwater, and on Sunday, there is an ice cream social at Clifton, which is Premier Alex Scott and Olga Scott's official residence.

For both celebrations, participants must RSVP prior to the events.

PRIDE project manager Danielle Riviere said the events had been organised by staff members and a key volunteer Carrolldon Benjamin. They were all about the celebration ? not a platform to send a message.

"The event is strictly for fun and we plan to work as little as possible," said Miss Riviere.

"In true PRIDE and Youth to Youth fashion the event is all about having drug-free fun, to enjoy family and eat plenty of food."

Everyone who has been involved with PRIDE, Youth to Youth and Parents to Parents are invited to attend.

"This 20th Anniversary Celebration is for all who have been a part of the PRIDE beat or the Youth to Youth magic," she pointed out.

"Youth to Youth alumni, past PRIDE/Y2Y Parent, past and present volunteers, current or past school advisors, Parent to Parent facilitators and participants and all those who have a vested interest in the organisation are invited to join in.

"Some of you may only have to remember a few years back to recall all the fun you had at weekend training and bridge buildings, trips to Rhode Island, conferences, Lock-Ins and Friday meetings.

"Others may have to think a little further back to remember all the energisers and skits. Some may recall the 'Twinky Song', while others won't have a clue what that could be. But in the end no matter when you were a part of PRIDE and Youth to Youth you are a piece to a 20-year-old puzzle that is still being put together.

"Your efforts during the past 20 years have helped to ensure that drug prevention continues to be a driving force in the community."

She added that for some people PRIDE and Youth to Youth had played a significant role in their lives, which gave them the opportunity to explore personal abilities in a safe and supportive environment.

"For others PRIDE and Youth to Youth may have provided an opportunity to have experiences that we may never have had. And then there are those whose experience with PRIDE and Youth to Youth helped to define their character, goals and self esteem."

The PRIDE outreach programme has been running for the last two decades and its aim was to educate both children and their parents about the dangers of drug abuse, to promote healthy and positive living. "Believing that parents are the first line of defence, PRIDE has worked diligently through its Parent to Parent programme educating parents about the role they play in keeping their children safe and drug free," said Miss Riviere.

"The PRIDE Youth Programmes have grown over the past years. Youth to Youth began 20 years ago and now PRIDE operates three youth programmes aimed at educating children from elementary school to high school.

"This year through sponsorship from Bermuda End to End, PRIDE Youth Programme is launching a new initiative called Youth Advocacy Action Team (YAAT) aimed at providing high school and college students with the opportunity to effect positive change in the community."

The PRIDE Bermuda Youth programmes work by providing students with information about the dangers of drugs, leadership skills, peer resistance skills, and most importantly, she said: "They provide students with a safe environment that is drug free."

The Parent to Parent is a video-based, peer driven training system, which motivates and empowers parents to work with their children on critical issues concerning adolescence, sex, drugs, violence and personal values.

"Parent to Parent encourages positive attitudes, positive parenting skills and networking among participating parents and concerned adults."

Asked where PRIDE Bermuda saw itself in the next 20 years, Miss Riviere said: "Most people in the drug prevention field hope that in 20 years there will be no need for our agencies because the ultimate success for PRIDE would be the end of drug abuse.

"But if over the next 20 years there are still youth and adults who need to be educated about drug abuse and who need a drug free environment where they can enjoy their friends and feel safe, PRIDE will still be here doing what we do best ? creating a healthier, safer community."

The fun day and picnic is free to everyone who RSVPs by telephoning 295-9970. The event starts at 10 a.m. and runs until 6 p.m.

The ice cream social will be hosted by PRIDE's honorary chair Mrs. Olga Scott at Clifton. The event begins at 5.30 p.m. until 8 p.m.

Tickets are $10 and can be purchased from the PRIDE office on Point Finger Road.

For more information on both events telephone 295-9970.