programmes offered by the National Drug Commission: Dr. Binns is the Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Commission (NDC). He has been with the NDC since August 1996 when he joined as Research Officer and moved into his current role in July, 1997.

Prior to joining the NDC, he served as the Psychologist for Prisons in the Bermuda Prison Service for ten years.

Dr. Binns returned to Bermuda in 1986 after completing a Bachelor's Degree at Johns Hopkins University and a Master's and Doctorate in Clinical Psychology from the Institute of Advanced Psychological Studies of Adelphi University.

Dr. Binns and an excellent group of technical officers have overseen a tremendous growth and increase in activity at the NDC.

In November, 1997, the NDC opened the Aftercare Programme, which is operated on its behalf by the Salvation Army. The Aftercare Programme is designed to provide services to those persons who have completed an initial period of substance abuse treatment.

The skills that are learned during an initial period of treatment are reinforced during the Aftercare Programme. In addition, clients are exposed to other programmes which will strengthen their ability to remain drug-free.

Currently, there are approximately 30 to 40 clients enrolled in the programme.

In January 1998, the NDC opened the Bermuda Youth Counselling Services (BYCS).

BYCS were created to provide specialised services to youth who are experimenting or using alcohol or other drugs.

Prior to the opening of BYCS, Bermuda had a limited response to the needs of the adolescent population. With the addition of the Aftercare Programme and the BYCS, critical gaps in the continuum of care have been filled.

Dr. Lynda Price, who came to the NDC after playing a critical role in the development of treatment systems in Canada, has been instrumental in the development of the local treatment system.

Prior to coming to Bermuda, Dr. Price served as chairman of the Canadian addictions certification board. This experience enabled her to facilitate the establishment of the Bermuda Addictions Certification Board.

The Bermuda Board is a member of the International Certification and Reciprocity Consortium. Membership allows persons certified by the Bermuda Board to receive reciprocity when moving into the jurisdiction of other member Boards around the world.

Another key development for the NDC has been the addition of Mr. Calvin Ming Jr. as Prevention Officer. Mr. Ming comes to the NDC after having extensive experience in the substance abuse field.

He will be well known for his work with the Archibald Royal Commission and the National Alcohol and Drug Agency (NADA). Mr. Ming has brought his characteristic drive and commitment to the NDC and, as a result, Bermuda will undoubtedly benefit.

Currently, Mr. Ming is working with local prevention agencies to bring about a more coordinated effort to Bermuda's alcohol and other drug prevention efforts.

The newest addition to the NDC technical team is Dr. C Julie Dunstan who joined the NDC as Research Officer in August 1998. The activities of the NDC are driven by research based findings in the substance abuse field. In addition, the NDC's efforts will be evaluated to ensure that the desired outcomes are produced.

Currently, the NDC is finalising the report on the Middle and High School Survey. Dr. Dunstan is actively planning the second Adult Population Survey and is also developing an information system. Together, these tools will provide Bermuda with the necessary information to measure our effectiveness as we fight the harms associated with the use of alcohol and other drugs.

All of the NDC's efforts are designed to accomplish its Mission: "To help reduce the problems associated with alcohol and drug abuse in Bermuda by formulating policies and priorities by coordinating and supporting public and private programmes dealing with substance abuse and its prevention; and by serving as an information resource for the community.'' The NDC has a number of initiatives in the planning stages to further this Mission. By far its biggest initiative is the Bermuda Drug Court. The purpose of the Drug Court is to provide treatment for persons who are involved in the criminal justice system as a result of an addiction to alcohol or other drugs.

The Drug Court is designed to provide such persons with the treatment that is necessary to help them combat their addiction. The likelihood of continued criminal activity is significantly reduced after persons combat their addictions.

A number of additional services will be required to support the Drug Court. In particular the NDC will establish an Assessment and Case Management Centre.

This centre will provide a thorough assessment to not only Drug Court clients but also to all clients entering the substance abuse treatment system. Based on the assessment, the centre will develop an individualised treatment plan for each client and will then ensure that the services that are needed are provided in a timely fashion.

Another service that will support the Drug Court, and be available to the treatment system, will be a detoxification service. The NDC is currently in discussions with the Bermuda Hospitals Board for the establishment of a model detoxification service for Bermuda.

The NDC is also planning, in conjunction with the Council on Alcohol and Drug Abuse (CADA) and the Council Partners Charitable Trust, to establish Bermuda's first Prevention Resource Centre.

This centre will enable all residents to have ready access to prevention materials. This, in turn, will serve to strengthen the ability of local communities, agencies and groups to build resilience within their members against the use of substances.

The NDC is a very active and viable component of the Bermuda community. It is providing a service that will increase the overall health of Bermuda and its people. In order to be successful, it will need the continued support, the cooperation and the assistance of all of Bermuda.

DERRICK BINNS -- Leading the NDC's growth DRUGS DGS