introducing a new management team.

The Council on Alcohol and Drug Abuse revealed that Dominique Smith would become the new Executive Director and lead a three-year strategic plan to combat drug abuse.

CADA's outgoing board chair Janine Lines said Mrs. Smith, who leaves a senior position with the Bermuda Commercial Bank, would head a new team committed to beating the drugs menace.

Mrs. Lines added that Mrs. Smith would bring "an abundance of experience and talent'' to the position.

She said: "Her business experience combined with her enthusiasm and commitment to this important cause will guide us in our future endeavours.'' Mrs. Smith will supervise the new strategic plan, develop fresh drug abuse programmes and work on building partnerships with other organisations involved in alcohol and tobacco.

The new Executive Director said: "CADA's past achievements and their plans for the future touch the lives of those who have been, or might be, affected by substance abuse. I look forward to being able to focus all of my energies in this area and helping to improve Bermuda's future.'' Mrs. Smith, who takes up the post on May 1, co-founded the community-based St.

George's Action Group and helped set up the Parent to Parent programme run by the PRIDE anti-drugs charity.

She has also served on the National Drug Commission's Prevention Committee.

CADA executives said Mrs. Smith would work alongside the organisation's new Associate Director, Catherine Belvedere.

Mrs. Belvedere has worked in substance abuse prevention for the Bermuda Life Skills Group, PRIDE and the Bermuda Football Association.