ERROR RG P4 27.1.1998 A story in Friday's paper incorrectly stated that Bermuda Youth Counselling Services programme manager Eudora Browne-Zuill volunteered at the Interdiction Research Association in Canada. It is the Addiction Research Association.

A new counselling agency for youths has no plans to get involved in drug testing.

Programme manager of Bermuda Youth Counselling Services, Eudora Brown-Zuill, disclosed this in her first interview since taking up the post this month.

Speaking with The Royal Gazette in her office on the second floor of Global House off Church Street, the Bermudian mother of two explained that the agency will aim to help youngsters with drug-related problems.

But she stressed: "Right now we will not be involved in drug testing. We will look at it if or when the need arises.'' The agency's main focus will be on providing "confidential, quality out-patient service'' to high-risk youngsters with the aim of steering them in the right direction, Mrs. Brown-Zuill said.

The counselling programme, which will begin in February at the new Salvation Army Citadel on North Street, is a joint effort of the National Drug Commission, the Education Ministry and the Ministry of Health and Social Services.

It was announced shortly after a spate of violent acts involving school students.

It will allow schools -- with the consent of parents -- to refer students to the service for assessment.

Students will be interviewed and a comprehensive treatment plan will designed for each student to address his or her needs.

Parents will also be encouraged to participate in designing the assistance plan.

While targetting school students, the programme will also be available to everyone between the ages of 10 and 24.

Mrs. Brown-Zuill, who has a Master's Degree in criminology from the University of Toronto and is undertaking a doctorate in drug addiction, started out as an accountant.

But after practising for 13 years, the former student of Berkeley Institute and Children and Adults Reaching for Education (CARE) said she had had enough.

And with advice from the former director of the now defunct National and Drug Abuse office, Cal Ming, Mrs. Brown-Zuill became involved in the field of chemical dependency.

She said she did not realise the extent of the Island's drug problem until then.

Since then Mrs. Brown-Zuill has volunteered at the John Howard Society and the Interdiction Research Association in Canada, Addiction Services, and passed the 13-month counsellor training programme at Hazelden in Minnesota.

"Bermuda is not going through anything unique,'' she said of the drug problem among Bermuda's youth. "But because we're a tourist destination there is more focus on the problem.

"Adolescence is a developmental stage,'' she added. "If they don't successfully complete that cycle as an adolescent, they are going to have a much tougher time as an adult.

"They are striving for identity and understanding. Therefore when they mix that with chemical abuse it makes it more difficult. We need to get in there before that crisis develops.'' While familiar with the Hazelden drug treatment philosophy, Mrs. Brown-Zuill made it clear the youth agency will not use that approach.

It will concentrate on a motivational interviewing method.

This, she explained, was counselling using reflective skills in a way that clients were encouraged to inform the agency of their needs.

"They will tell us what they want to focus on because when they do this they will be more serious about treatment,'' Mrs. Brown-Zuill said.

She added that she did not anticipate any obstacles with such a method since clients will be made to feel comfortable.

She pointed out that developing trust involved giving clients empathy, understanding and affirming what they were saying.

"Invite them to look at other options, but don't be judgmental,'' Mrs.

Brown-Zuill said.

Explaining that the agency was still in the developmental stage, she noted that the agency will open with just herself and a secretary next month.

"Pretty soon after we hope to have at least one counsellor,'' Mrs.

Brown-Zuill said.

"We're looking at hiring two other counsellors. People with a Master's Degree in the helping field, such as education, social work, psychology, as well as certification in chemical dependency.'' In addition to referrals from schools, the agency will accept referrals from parents, friends, churches and anybody who may have a concern about a youngster.

Mrs. Brown-Zuill said: "What we would like is for clients to come in themselves. We would also like to have parents involved as much as possible.'' The agency will be open between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

voicemail will also be available with information on what should be done in emergency cases.

Mrs. Brown-Zuill declined to comment on how many clients the agency will be able to serve.

But she said: "The programme is designed to see young people for a six-week period. After that we invite them to come back bimonthly for a period of time, about six months.

"We then refer them to aftercare at some place they can go to continue working with the issues affecting them, for example Alateen, Youth-to-Youth, or a psychologist.'' In cases where a youngster comes from a home where substance abuse is prevalent, Mrs. Brown-Zuill said the agency will provide the parent -- if involved with child's treatment -- "education'' and recommend that they seek help from agencies designed for adults.

"But our first responsibility is to that child,'' she stressed. "We need to help that child to develop the skills to deal with that environment.

"This service supports a safe, healthy, and drug-free environment for our youth and their families.

"Children deserve support and love, not only at home but in the community.'' YOUTH COUNSELLOR -- Bermuda Youth Counselling Services programme manager Eudora Brown-Zuill aims to help the Island's high-risk teenagers.