The President of troubled drugs counselling service Focus has resigned after failing to get the full support of the board in his bid to oust Sandy Butterfield as Executive Director.

Resigning alongside Rory Gorman were Vice President Wayne Jackson and board members Susan Gatje and Neville Darrell.

Mr. Gorman said he didn't think Sandy Butterfield would be able to implement suggestions made by a consultant about improving services and tackling sloppy management.

After canvassing the board however, he found he did not have their full support so he resigned last week, despite having the backing of Focus funders the National Drug Commission (NDC) and the Council Partners Charitable Trust (CPCT).

Last night Mrs. Butterfield and CPCT Chairman Gordon Johnson refused to comment while NDC CEO Cristina Wineinger could not be reached for comment.

Mr. Gorman told The Royal Gazette: "I felt the way the board was going was wasting a lot of time and energy and losing us credibility with our donors."

He said the board wanted to stick to the current situation with Mrs. Butterfield completely running the show.

Mr. Gorman denied orchestrating the other resignations.

He said: "I am sad. I gave two years to this, a lot of personal time and emotional energy. I don't think I was wrong.

"There are still issues that have to be resolved and Focus clients will have to wait until they are resolved.

"The way forward is for the National Drug Commission to work closely with the management of Camp Spirit."

He stressed he did not want Mrs. Butterfield to leave Focus but he believed someone else should be leading it.

He added: "I always try to work with more or less unanimous support in business or in charities. I could have worked with one or two not fully in support if the board was moving in the same direction."

Mr. Jackson said he had stepped down for health reasons and that the resignations would allow for a new board to solve the problems the old board could not, including improving efficiency for the benefit of the clients.

The Focus assessment carried out by Dr. Jacqueline Butler last month recommended members be recruited for the skills they brought rather than just their willingness to serve.

It also pointed out a lack of shared vision amongst the board members.

Several Focus clients The Royal Gazette spoke to voiced strong support for Mrs. Butterfield.

One said: "God put this woman in our lives. She is a mother, an auntie, a friend. I would like to see her continue."

Another said Focus was integral to people's lives and the fact that Mrs. Butterfield tried to keep it open to everyone was very important.

He said: "If Jesus could save just one he would do. Sandy looks at it the same way."

However one Focus client said there was concern with the way Mrs. Butterfield ran the programme.

He said: "One of the things which annoyed a lot of people is because she had a big heart she would let people come in off the street and live it up.

"There's the TV and you can get something to eat, catch your breath and go out and do the same ignorance again. That annoyed a lot of people, that's not the way you operate.

"You are killing people, as long as you get away without getting help.

"There is a lot of work involved, it doesn't fall into your lap. You have to make decisions and do some surrendering. A lot of people feel that set-up is not conducive to recovery.

"She would defend that and says that's all those people have but it's enabling.

"As long as you get that support you don't have to get off your backside to work and lead a productive life."

The NDC and the remaining Focus board are still negotiations over the NDC's offer to run Darrell's island drugs retreat Camp Spirit, which did not re-open this month after being closed to allow a review of its services to be done.

The new President of Focus is expected to be appointed on Monday.

Police say a conman has walked off with hundreds of dollars after claiming he was raising money for Focus. A Police spokesman said the charity was not raising money by this way and urged anyone approached by the man to Inspector Crockwell at 295-0011.