involvement substance abuse prevention programme based on four strategies including personal growth, education and information, community involvement and drug free fun. The programme, which was adapted in Bermuda through Diana Corday and Calvin Ming after attending a conference in Columbus, Ohio, aims to harness the positive influence of peer pressure to encourage positive choices, such as living without a dependency on tobacco, alcohol and other drugs. Youth to Youth runs weekly meetings on Fridays from 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. at Stonington campus, according to Mrs. Burgess. "The meetings are run by young people chosen by their peers who form the executive committee,'' she said, adding that between 40 and 50 children have attended the meetings so far this school year. "The executive meets on Wednesdays to plan the Friday meeting,'' she said. "I'm simply there to provide a safe environment and support as well as to help them bring in speakers and any equipment they may need.'' Youth to youth members range in ages from 12 to 19, and come from both public and private schools. "We are not just a say no group,'' said Mrs. Burgess. "We feel if everything else in your life is positive, you're not going to take Youth to Youth plans annual forum on drugs a programme for everyone and there is a place for everyone in the programme,'' said Mrs. Burgess. Youth to Youth is now in the process of planning for their annual conference, which will run from November 10th to November 13th at Mount St. Agnes Academy. Said Mrs. Burgess: "We'll have guest speakers from abroad chosen by our young people. "As well, there will be serious workshops on topics like sex, pregnancy and AIDS, conflict management, drugs and health matters.'' Fun seminars will also be set up to include friendship workshops and drug free concoction workshops, she noted. There will be various activities set up each evening and a fair extravaganza will close the festivities. "This year, we'll have overseas participants including young people and adults from the US and the Cayman Islands,'' said Mrs. Burgess, noting that many Bermudians are already familiar with overseas youth to youth members as they have attended conferences abroad. PHOTO FIRST MEETING -- Youth to Youth members at their first meeting this school year are pictured playing a `get acquainted' game.

DRUG FREE YOUTHS -- A Youth to Youth group shown after making a presentation to senior citizens at the First Church of God last summer.

BERMUDIANS ABROAD -- (Right back rows) A contingent from Bermuda's Youth to Youth group attended a leadership conference in Rhode Island last summer.