and communication to high school students prior to joining Parent Resource Institute for Drug Education (PRIDE).

Additionally, she was the co-producer and director of Jabulani Theatre Company at the Hamilton Princess.

Before then she was working for the Department of Youth and Sport where did a workshop, "Parent to Parent'', and since then Ms Pogson has been a part of PRIDE. She joined PRIDE as a programme director on January 26, 1998.

When Ms Pogson was asked what the most important aspect of her work was she responded: "Communications. I am responsible for information to the public regarding new programmes and development.'' The aspect of PRIDE which Ms Pogson enjoys the most is developing performing art pieces of prevention and working with young people involved.

There are presently 19 schools -- ranging from primary schools to high schools -- on board with PRIDE. They are serviced by various facilitators.

Asked how effective the school prevention programmes were, Ms Pogson said: "At this time, we are uncertain but research shows that school programmes with community involvement reap the most success.'' This past September, a representative from the PRIDE International Office in Atlanta, Georgia came to Bermuda to host teacher and student training. There were about 200 participants of whom 115 were elementary students.

PRIDE has a volunteer base of about 162 people. For every child who volunteers a parent must also volunteer. The parent and child work together.

"Volunteers are vital to PRIDE programmes because events associated with the programmes involve lots of children,'' said Ms Pogson.

NEW ACT -- Patricia Pogson, programme director of PRIDE outh to Youth.

DRUGS DGS