A senior drugs worker has publicly questioned a damning report which said the island's treatment of drug addicts as “woefully lacking” and “on the verge of collapse”.

The report, prepared by US consultant Robert Lehmann, who has 25 years experience in drug treatment, said alcoholics and drug addicts in Bermuda are receiving “questionable care”.

The 14-page document was prepared in November at the request of drug treatment programme fundraisers the Council Partners Charitable Trust (CPCT). However at a press conference yesterday Drug Court coordinator Cal Ming said recent negative publicity would hurt the clients. He said: “Contributing to this negative light is a report completed by consultant Robert Lehmann.

“We take major issue with the conclusions of that report and question the ethics of Mr. Lehmann, as he did not conduct any interviews with the treatment agencies or anyone presently at the National Drug Commission, nor did he visit any of the agencies he cited in his report.”

However he said the treatment providers had cooperated with reports by Dr. Jacqueline Butler and Dr. Alan Ogborne which were also very critical of the island's drug treatment services. Mr. Ming said: “We are satisfied with their conclusions. These reports are intended to be used for positive change in the system.”

He said there were gaps in the service but major efforts were being made to coordinate treatment, eliminate duplication of services, ensure agencies are accredited and treatment providers get certified on international standards.

Acting NDC chief executive officer Dr. Don Philip said the Butler report formed the basis of the new national drug plan which has yet to be officially released.

Health Minister Nelson Bascome said he was urging the NDC to get accreditation in place. He could give no timetable of when this would occur. But he said it hinged on the appointment of a new board, which he said would be “announced very soon”, as well as the appointment of a permanent chief executive officer.

He said: “Once accredited, agencies should then apply to the Minister for a licence to offer services.

“Under such a scheme, the Ministry and the NDC will be able to set standards of practice for agencies and conditions which must be met before a licence is granted.”

Mr. Bascome also lamented the recent bad publicity and blamed the media for creating a wedge between the CPCT and the NDC which he said he was trying to repair for the benefit of the clients.

He said he had met with the CPCT board and its chairman and deputy chairman to express his concerns.

The Minister backed the CPCT suggestion to merge with the NDC to form a new body guiding policy.

“In order for this thing to really work we have to work as one. The way it stands, sometimes we are seen to be working in opposite directions.”

Mr. Bascome denied Government had starved the system of funding. He said: “Over the years Government has continued to give more money to the NDC to make sure they have coverage of the programmes.”

Mr. Bascome was asked about the staffing gaps at the NDC - researcher Julie Dunstan left in December 2001, prevention officer Cal Ming left in January 2002, treatment coordinator John Scott left in March 2002 and CEO Christine Wieninger left August 2002. None have been replaced.

The Minister said the question should be put to the NDC board and he again hinted that Dr. Philip could become the permanent chief executive officer.

“I guess the board have been, well not a little slow, but working to get key people back. I know they have run job adverts from time to time, now Dr. Philip is there they will see some finality to getting their team together.”