person can make a difference By the age of ten, 25 percent of Bermuda's young people have used alcohol, four percent have used marijuana and nine percent have used tobacco.

It's statistics like these that have prompted the volunteers and staff of PRIDE (Parents Resource Institute for Drug Education) Bermuda to organise a week of activities surrounding drug prevention and a healthy lifestyle.

PRIDE executive director Judith Burgess said that this year's Red Ribbon week was about the celebration of drug prevention.

"Prevention is something that every single person in Bermuda can celebrate,'' she said. "It will bring recognition to people other than those who work directly with drug prevention, like teachers who help with prevention and don't even know it.

"We'll tend to focus on young people because, hopefully, they have not started taking drugs yet. We will focus on the schools because that is where young people spend the majority of their time.

"After we've reached the kids, we will focus on the parents.'' PRIDE is a non-profit organisation that aims to prevent drug and alcohol abuse by promoting and educating a healthy lifestyle amongst the young and young at heart.

The organisation was originally founded in the US in 1977 after neighbourhood parents discovered young children using drugs at a backyard birthday party.

The incident motivated the neighbourhood parents to form the Parents Resource Institute for Drug Education (PRIDE) and 23 years later, PRIDE has grown to have membership in over 80 countries.

In 1986, Bermuda became a member after the Council on Alcohol and Drug Abuse sponsored a group of local business professionals to attend a PRIDE conference in Atlanta, Georgia.

They group was so impressed by what they saw at the Atlanta conference that they established a PRIDE chapter on the Island.

In the 13 years since, PRIDE Bermuda has organised a variety of year-round activities aimed at increasing self esteem in young people. These programmes involve not only children and teens, but their families and the community at large.

The internationally recognised Red Ribbon campaign began in 1985 after a US Drug Enforcement agent, Enrique Camerana, was brutally murdered by drug traffickers in Mexico.

At his funeral, family members wore red ribbons as a sign of respect for his belief that one person could make a difference in the battle against drug abuse.

And since the first Red Ribbon campaign in 1988, a little piece of red ribbon has become a world-wide symbol of people's commitment to prevent drug abuse.

"We had no problem selling the idea to the business community,'' Mrs. Burgess recalled. "Last year, the business community purchased the kits and therefore enabling each student to get a kit and physically participant in Red Ribbon Week.

"Last year we were just overwhelmed with the response we received from the community,'' she added. "We had people calling who wanted to get involved, so we felt that this was something we should do on an annual basis.

"It has grown this year since we were able to get major sponsorship.'' Under this year's banner `PRIDE in Every Parish', the organisation hopes to promote drug awareness/education and prevention amongst the majority of the local population.

By the end of Red Ribbon Week, organisers estimate that some 80 companies, 45 schools, 20 community-based organisations and 19 churches will have participated in the various PRIDE events.

"The scope of PRIDE is so vast that it touches every sector of the community, from schools to college, parents to the workplace,'' said programme director Patricia Pogson. "We want to make everyone to understand what PRIDE does and how everyone can make a difference.

This year, organisers have planned a variety of events that are sure to appeal to a wide cross-section of the population.

PRIDE organiser Danielle Riviere said the festivities will begin tonight at the final Harbour Nights of this millennium.

"A Youth Red Fashion Show will be held from 8.30 to 9 p.m. at Harbour Nights,'' she explained. "PRIDE volunteers and mentors will be modelling red clothing.

"We want to give Bermudians some ideas of the red clothing they can wear for Wear Red Day.'' And Red Ribbon Week will officially kick off on Friday with a ceremony on the steps of City Hall.

"All corporate sponsors as well as PRIDE youth and community members will take part in the kickoff,'' explained Geneva Humdy Woodley.

The Community Street Festival promises to be a Saturday afternoon of family fun with games, food and rides. The event will take place in Victoria Park from noon to 5 p.m.

Wednesday, October 20, will be Wear Red Day in Bermuda -- the official day to sport red clothing in support of drug prevention.

PRIDE and drug prevention "The PRIDE team will be riding around taking pictures of people who are wearing red,'' noted Miss Riviere.

"A walk and candlelight vigil will take place on October 21 beginning at 6 p.m.,'' said Mrs. Humdy Woodley. "Participants will gather at the flagpole outside of the Cabinet Building and will then take a walk through town. "We will have glow-in-the-dark T-shirts on sale at the candlelight vigil.'' Students will take centre stage at PRIDE's School Rally Day on October 22, but organisers were quick to point out that anyone eager to support drug awareness could attend.

"The School Rally will take place at Bernard Park from 4 to 5 p.m.,'' explained Mrs. Humdy Woodley. "It is a celebration for students of all ages and will feature dancing and entertainment. The entire community is more than welcomed to come out and take part.'' And the Island's churches will get into the act on October 23 and 24 with Pray for the Children.

"This is for the faith community,'' said Miss Riviere. "It is an opportunity for the churches to take a stand and keep the children in their thoughts and prayers.'' Those who have made significant contributions in the fight against substance abuse will be honoured on October 23 with special awards.

"Five awards will be given to individuals who work within the substance prevention field,'' explained Miss Riviere. "There are five categories -- volunteer, corporate, significant individual, significant administrator and special educator.

"The winners were chosen by a special committee.'' With a full slate of events on the calender, PRIDE organisers hope to touch every local in some way, making them aware that they can make a difference in one day making Bermuda drug free.

"Last year we dispersed 30,000 pieces of material,'' said Miss Riviere.

"This year we want to increase the number of people who are aware that drugs are an issue that we have to face.'' Mrs. Burgess added: "If we can get parents to converse with their children about why they shouldn't want to take drugs and the repercussions of taking drugs, we will be happy. Very often parents won't talk to their kids about this.

"We need to get some new values fashioned on old fashion values!'' PRIDE EVENTS PRIDE events The 1999 PRIDE Red Ribbon events schedule: Tonight: Youth Red Fashion Show at Harbour Nights from 8.30 to 9 p.m.

Friday, October 15: Red Ribbon Week Kickoff on the steps of City Hall at 12.15 p.m.

Saturday, October 16: Community Street Festival, noon to 5 p.m. at Victoria Park in Hamilton.

Wednesday, October 20: Wear Red Day -- the official day to wear red in support of drug prevention.

Thursday, October 21: Walk and Candlelight Vigil at 6 p.m. at the flag pole outside of the Cabinet Building.

Friday, October 22: Schools Rally Day from 4 to 5 p.m. at Bernard Park in Pembroke; and Saturday October 23 and Sunday, October 24: Pray for the Children at one of the Island's various churches.

Photos by Ras Mykkal Red Ribbon Week: PRIDE programme director Patricia Pogson shows off some of the items that will be on sale to the public during Red Ribbon Week, October 15 to 24.

PRIDE Bermuda: A dedicated team at PRIDE Bermuda have organised a variety of activities for Red Ribbon Week. Pictured from left to right are: Danielle Riviere, Judith Burgess, Malik Showers, Patricia Pogson, Susann Douglas, Geneva Humdy Woodley and Shirlene White.