on Thursday shared their experience with Bermudian professionals in the field.

And Gordon Johnson of the Council on Alcohol and Drug Abuse said: "We are very proud of our scholarship students -- and want the public to respond when they call on them to participate in their strategies.'' The four -- counsellor Nelson Bascome, teacher Melanie Burrows, Policeman Donville Yarde and Fairhavens worker Sonia Paynter -- were all sponsored through summer courses at the prestigious Rutgers University in the US.

They spoke of their experiences at a CADA-run breakfast meeting at the Hamilton Princess.

Mr. Johnson said: "In that environment, there is an international exposure which is very exciting and eye-opening.

"They all chose courses relevant to what they do in Bermuda. It's all about allowing someone to be better at what they do and sharing that expertise with others.'' Mr. Bascome, who studied peer mediation techniques, said: "I'm very grateful for CADA's sponsorship -- I definitely wouldn't have been able to do it myself.

"The course enhances my counselling skills and it's already proved useful.'' Ms Paynter, a counsellor at Fairhavens, said her course was in addiction treatment in the family setting.

She added: "I learned quite a bit about new techniques and how to use them -- it will definitely help me in my work and I would encourage anyone in the mental health field or school counsellors to look into this field because it's very applicable to our community.'' DRUGS DGS