Motivational speaker Rick Minniefield has been talking to the schoolchildren of Bermuda this week at the annual Club PRIDE conference.

Mr. Minniefield arrived in Bermuda earlier this week to take part in the conference which promotes the idea of drug-free alternatives and personal growth amongst middle school children.

"It's been very exciting. The youth staff are incredibly energetic and very exciting to be around. I've had a very positive response.'' Mr. Minniefield said. "A lot of speakers return to their hotel rooms after talking, but I'd rather be here with the students.'' Mr. Minniefield has been speaking professionally since leaving college six years ago.

He tours schools in the US spreading the anti-drug message and teaching principles that promote self-esteem and personal motivation.

"He was fun and really energetic,'' enthused 12-year-old Jane Darrell, a student at Clearwater Middle School. "I'm coming back again next year.'' Approximately 120 schoolchildren attended the two-day conference which took place at the Salvation Army Citadel in Pembroke.

The aims of the conference included giving children a chance to express themselves in small groups, getting to know students from other schools, learning about the effects of drugs and how to resist peer pressure and spreading the drug-free message.

"They teach you what to do when people offer you drugs,'' said 13-year-old Charnisha Smith who attends the Whitney Institute. "You don't have to do drugs just because your peers do it.'' The conference was also attended by Police school liaison officers Martin Weekes and Rodney Trott who saw it as an excellent opportunity to interact informally with the children.

"We're usually standing at the front of the classroom so this is a good change,'' said P.c. Weekes. "We always get involved in school activities. It helps to build up a relationship with the kids.'' The youth volunteers who spread the Club PRIDE message are specially trained students who the Club recruited and trained themselves.

"We go around the schools and show the other children what Club PRIDE is and how it helps you learn that you can have fun without using drugs,'' said 12-year-old Nicole Shaw who has been a member of Club PRIDE since September.

"The staff have done very well in imparting the drug-free message,'' added executive director of PRIDE, Judith Burgess.

And coordinator Susann Douglas pointed out: "This wonderful group of youth staff has certainly made my job a lot easier.''