The belle of the ball is bound to be in red on Saturday night as that colour has been the symbol of celebrations of drug prevention all week.

PRIDE (Parent Resource Institute for Drug Education) Bermuda's Red Ribbon week will culminate on Saturday night with a recognition awards dinner and ball at the Sky Top guest apartments in Paget.

City Hall had its turn to be on fire when PRIDE kicked off their Red Ribbon Week last Friday.

A host of dignitaries, organisers and supporters of the drug prevention group were completely outfitted in red, making a bold statement on the importance of drug prevention on the Island.

The day marked the start of a week of activities to highlight the work that PRIDE does in the local community and featured congratulatory remarks and encouragement from political leaders, students and sponsors.

Premier Jennifer Smith read a proclamation honouring the 12-year-old organisation and contended that they "stand at the forefront of drug prevention in Bermuda''. "I do hereby pledge Government's support for PRIDE and their work in the area of drug abuse prevention and I urge all Bermudians to commit themselves to a drug-free community by participating in the Red Ribbon campaign,'' she said.

Opposition Leader Pam Gordon turned her message to the children who were gathered and pointed out the need to "train up our children''.

"It will not only be good for you individually but will bode well for Bermuda in the long run and contribute to the success of others in the future,'' she said.

National Liberal Party head Charles Jeffers described the work of PRIDE as "refreshing'' in times where the negative is often highlighted and he called on parents to become involved.

"Children actually want to see their parents taking an active role, even if they do not say it,'' he claimed. "And parents can experience the same level of fulfilment or even greater, than their children.'' Fourteen-year-old Erkia Martin, of Berkeley Institute, took to the podium on the steps of City Hall and announced her reason for being in the programme.

"My brain needs to stay focused and my body healthy and drugs can really interfere with that,'' she pointed out. "I need to hang around positive people and a positive crowd.'' National Drug Commission chairman Malcolm Butterfield described the work of PRIDE as "energetic and visionary''.

"We at the National Drug Commission are indebted to them for their efforts,'' he said. "We recognise the impact on drug abuse prevention they have with our young people.'' Fund-raiser Pamela Roach-Quarterly, in a heartfelt address, pointed out that the work of PRIDE is far from over.

"Until every child born in this country is taught to live drug-free,'' she said, "our work is not done.'' Vince Ingham, vice president of the Bermuda Electric Light Company who is title sponsor of the Red Ribbon campaign, noted that all Bermudians must participate.

"In order to stop the cycle we each have the responsibility to do what we can to stop this,'' he said.

DRUGS DGS