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                                                                   EXHIBIT 99.18

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

                      RAMSAY YOUTH SERVICES, INC. ANNOUNCES
                       FOURTH QUARTER AND YEAR END RESULTS

CORAL GABLES, FLORIDA, MARCH 30, 2001 . . . RAMSAY YOUTH SERVICES, INC.
(NASDAQ:RYOU) today announced results for the fourth quarter and year ended
December 31, 2000. Total revenues for the quarter increased 43% to $31,781,000
from $22,244,000 for the same period in the prior year. Net income for the
quarter totaled $2,447,000 or $0.27 per share. The quarter results include the
positive impact of the reversal of a $2,500,000 reserve for a legal case against
the Company which was dismissed in court. In addition, the quarter results also
include the negative impact of a $249,000 loss on the sale of assets. These two
non-recurring items increased results for the quarter by a net amount of
$2,251,000 or $0.25 per share.

For the year, the Company reported total revenues of $108,360,000 up 33% from
$81,474,000 for fiscal 1999. Net income for the twelve months ended December 31,
2000 was $2,852,000 or $0.32 per share. The year end results were positively
impacted by the reversal of the aforementioned $2,500,000 legal reserve, and by
the negative impact of a $705,000 loss on the sale of assets. These two
non-recurring items increased results for the year by a net amount of $1,795,000
or $0.20 per share.

Commenting on the results, Luis E. Lamela, President and CEO of Ramsay Youth
Services, Inc. said, "Our fourth quarter and year end results reflect our
continued success in growing the Company, specifically in the area of treatment
programs and services for youth."

Ramsay Youth Services, Inc. is a treatment company that provides behavioral
healthcare, juvenile justice, education and community-based programs for
at-risk, troubled and special needs youth. The Company has operations in nine
states and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.

Except for historical information contained herein, the matters set forth in
this news release are forward-looking statements as defined under the safe
harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The
forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties
including the uncertainties regarding the resolution of issues in Puerto Rico.
Actual operations and results may differ materially from those expected in the
forward looking statements made by the Company. Please refer to Ramsay's filings
with the Securities and Exchange Commission for additional information.

                                  Tables Follow

                                       ###


Contact: Isa Diaz
         Vice President Corporate Relations
         (305) 569-4626



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                  RAMSAY YOUTH SERVICES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                      CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS



<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                    QUARTER ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                                                     ---------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                  2000                          1999
                                                                     --------------------------    ---------------------------
<S>                                                                      <C>              <C>          <C>             <C>
Revenues                                                                 $31,781,000      100%         $ 22,244,000    100.0%

Operating expenses:
   Salaries, wages and benefits                                           20,008,000     63.0%           13,809,000     62.1%
   Other operating expenses                                                6,349,000     20.0%            6,325,000     28.4%
   Provision for doubtful accounts                                         1,087,000      3.4%              504,000      2.3%
   Depreciation and amortization                                             648,000      2.0%              610,000      2.7%
                                                                     --------------------------    ---------------------------
Total operating expenses                                                  28,092,000     88.4%           21,248,000     95.5%
                                                                     --------------------------    ---------------------------

Income from operations                                                     3,689,000     11.6%              996,000      4.5%

Non-operating income (expenses):
   Investment income and other                                                64,000      0.2%
   Loss on sale of assets                                                   (249,000)    (0.8%)
   Interest and other financing charges                                     (955,000)    (3.0%)            (371,000)    (1.7%)
                                                                     --------------------------    ---------------------------
      Total non-operating expenses, net                                   (1,140,000)    (3.6%)            (371,000)    (1.7%)


Income before income taxes                                                 2,549,000      8.0%              625,000      2.8%

Provision (benefit) for income taxes                                         102,000      0.3%              (34,000)    (0.2%)
                                                                     --------------------------    ---------------------------

 Net income                                                              $ 2,447,000      7.7%            $ 659,000      3.0%
                                                                     ==========================    ===========================


Income per common share:
   Basic                                                                      $ 0.27                         $ 0.07
                                                                     ================              =================
   Diluted                                                                    $ 0.27                         $ 0.07
                                                                     ================              =================


Weighted average number of common shares outstanding:
   Basic                                                                   8,927,000                      8,892,000
                                                                     ================              =================
   Diluted                                                                 8,927,000                      8,892,000
                                                                     ================              =================
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