Children of today find themselves faced with serious social issues at a much younger age than previous generations.

But students in Bermuda's school system are now afforded some of the help they need to deal with difficult problems such as drug abuse, AIDS and violence -- thanks to Lions International.

The Lions-Quest programmes are designed to emphasise life skills, decision-making and goal-setting, enabling youngsters to deal with problems which could lead to drug abuse.

Recognising that drugs were a major problem, Lions International put together a committee of 25 experts in 1981 to advise them on how best to deal with the worldwide problem of drug abuse.

The committee, which included Dr. David Archibald, reported that if there was to be an end to the scourge of illicit drugs, it could only come through education.

When Lions International sought an appropriate vehicle for this education process, they found the Quest National Centre in Ohio.

The Quest programme was developed by American Rick Little who, after years of personal failure, came to realise that his school years had not "trained him for life''.

In 1984, Lions International joined with the Quest National to develop the Lions-Quest Programme.

Mr. Little's development of the programme for 10 to 14-year-olds, "Skills for Adolescence'', was funded by Lions International.

The Lions remain the marketing arm of Lions-Quest, with clubs encouraging schools in their own communities to incorporate the programme into their existing curriculum.

Bermuda's Lions and Lioness Clubs spent a number of years pushing to get the programme in local schools, and their hard work has paid off -- to a degree.

By September this year, all Primary Seven classes in Government schools should have the programme.

The Bermuda High School for Girls and Sandys Secondary have used the Lions-Quest programme for several years, while the Bermuda Institute started recently.

"It's a good start, but it's not enough,'' said Bermuda Lions zone chairman, Mr. David Cardell. "Starting at age 10 is really too late.'' He explained that the Lions are now trying to convince the Island's educators that the second Lions-Quest programme, "Skills for Growing'', designed for five to 10-year-olds, is as necessary as the first.

"That's the one we're currently pushing to get into the school system,'' Mr.

Cardell said.

He said a third programme for older teenagers, which has yet to be named, is in the process of being "re-worked'' and tested in schools around the United States.

Mr. Cardell said Lions-Quest addresses much more than drug abuse. Four of the programme's five units deal with such subjects as decision-making and relationships.

The remaining unit tackles the issue of drugs.

Each class participating in the programme is also encouraged to take on a community service project, "so they can feel good about helping someone else'', he said.

Closer family ties are also fostered through Lions-Quest. The programme's workbook requires some tasks to be done at home and brought to school for discussion. Other assignments must be completed at school and taken home for review.

Mr. Cardell pointed out that the programme does not encourage the usual student-teacher relationship during its sessions.

"The teacher acts as a facilitator,'' he said, explaining that this allows the students to arrive at their own decisions.

Last year alone, local Lions and Lioness Clubs invested almost $14,000 in Lions-Quest and other "positive youth programmes'' such as Youth to Youth, Outward Bound and Young Life.

BACK TO SCHOOL -- Half of the Island's primary school principals, teachers, counsellors and PTA presidents took part in the first day of the three-day Lions-Quest Skills for Adolescents training workshop. Pictured (from left) are: Mrs. Maxine Lowe of Friendship Vale, Dr. Kathy White Frisby of Heron Bay, Mr. Alan Leigh, principal of Heron Bay, Mr. Eddie Wright, principal of St.

David's Primary, Ms Esmee Williams, principal of Southampton Glebe, counsellor Mrs. Marilyn Smith, Mrs. Cecil Bernardt Lambert and Mr. John D'Alessio of Paget Lions, Mr. David Burrows of Sandys Lions and (at front) programme trainer Mr. Eddie DeAngelo.

MR. DAVID CARDELL -- `Starting at age 10 is too late.'