Bermuda's streets from drug dealers.

Chris Browne, a 1995 Winston Churchill Fellowship who is visiting the Island from England, told The Royal Gazette this week that neighbourhood problem-solvers needed training to help their community.

"They (neighbourhood problem-solvers) need to prioritise their concerns and work out an action plan that can be done in conjunction with local agencies,'' Ms Browne said.

She added that those involved with local action groups needed to see some quick results, so they would not become discouraged.

Ms Browne is in Bermuda to present her findings on her study of community participation in the US and Bermuda to parents, community service clubs, Police, and other Government officials.

Last December, Ms Browne was in Bermuda to learn about the Island's partnerships against drugs.

Upon her arrival then, she said she was surprised to learn about the National Drug Commission and was fascinated with all the anti-drug alliances like "Sports Against Drugs'', "Parents Against Drugs'' and "Churches Against Drugs''.

Ms Browne also pointed out that since Bermuda was a multi-racial society, race was an issue that had to be dealt with in order to make headway in the war on drugs.

"Unless you do something about it (race), you're not going to get the local/minority groups involved,'' she said. "They won't feel the trust or the motivation to do something.'' Ms Browne suggested that a planned, strategic catalyst was need to bring about change.

"If you want to work with locals, you need to have something that motivates people to get involved,'' she explained.

Aside from meeting with Governor Lord Waddington, Police Commissioner Colin Coxall, and addressing the Paget Lions Club, Ms Browne said she hoped to receive updates on the Island's community drug programmes.

Ms Browne noted the Island's future looked promising, although she admitted that it was still too early to state what effect community alliances have had.

"To see a change you'd have to wait a generation,'' she said. "The next generation will feel the results.'' CHRIS BROWNE -- Action plan is needed