teenagers that drugs are a "one-way ticket to doom''.

Milton Shane Watson, who was convicted of the manslaughter of Wilbur Doe, told teenagers at Saturday's Bermuda Youth Summit that virtually all of the people in Bermuda's prisons are there because of drugs, adding: "Drugs are a one-way ticket to doom.

He added: "The indictment on Westgate prison is that it was designed on a liberal philosophy. But it is being run by a conservative administration.'' Mr. Watson, who wrote a play while in prison and was also involved in prisoner rehabilitation projects, added: "That is why it is bursting at the seams.

That is why you have a recidivism rate of 87 percent. Casemates had a rate of 64 percent!'' He also claimed he was imprisoned for ten years for manslaughter because he refused to initially tell Police what happened when Mr. Doe died.

"I had my pride and I was pretty mixed up,'' he said. "I thought it was cool. I wasn't going to prick (inform) on my friend.'' Mr. Watson made the statements at the forum, which was broadcast on television, at CedarBridge Academy gymnasium.

A selection of teens made up the "posse'' who interacted with hosts "On Jam'' Fran of Black Entertainment Television and Sherri J of local radio station Power 95.

Panelists also included Danielle Riviere, a coordinator for PRIDE Bermuda, Darron Lowe, youth pastor at Radnor Road Christian Fellowship, teacher and community activist Lou Matthews and psychologist Dee Martin.

Ms Riviere told the several hundred teens present: "Unless you all make a stand right here, tonight, Bermuda is not going to get any better. Empower yourselves for the future.

"The key is taking responsibility for what your actions are,'' she said.

"How you carry yourself determines what level of respect you get.'' Mr. Matthews said communication between young people and adults is vital and will come about after people feel comfortable in voicing their opinions.

He also highlighted a tendency among adults to promote high flyers among teens and neglect others.

"We tend to look at the best and brightest of the young people,'' Mr.

Matthews said. "But some of our future leaders are not getting straight A's.

We have to try to encourage them all.'' The Teen Summit was produced by Bermuda Broadcasting Company, sponsored by the Council on Alcohol and Drug Abuse, and hosted by CedarBridge student government.