at least to start with, it was announced yesterday.

National Drug Commission Mansfield Brock also revealed churches could help run the centre.

Several approaches had been made to churches -- and the reaction had been promising.

"We received a very positive response. A number of churches thought it was a great idea,'' he said.

"Others wanted to discuss the idea with congregations and hold discussions with church boards.'' Mr. Brock disclosed a site for the half-way house had been earmarked.

And now a formal request -- outlining the NDC's proposals -- had been submitted to the owner of the building.

"I hope a decision will be made fairly quickly so we can get started as soon as possible,'' said Mr. Brock.

It had originally been hoped the half-way house would be up and running by April 1.

But yesterday Mr. Brock said plans had been set back as the NDC wrestled with a number of issues, including whether the centre would cater to both sexes.

"We decided instead of having males and females we would start out with only males since females already have the Fairhavens centre.

"We are, however, keeping our options open as to whether to have females at a later date.'' Mr. Brock continued: "Then we thought about whether it would be wise to have a third party involved and we've been in touch with churches.'' Under such an arrangement, the churches would run the centre while the NDC would fund it.

"We also thought about whether we should start off humbly with small numbers at the half-way house and build up to greater ones as we gained experience in running it.

"We want a place that is big enough for expansion so once we get experience we can increase the size of the half-way house.'' Mr. Brock said the NDC's treatment committee made revisions to original plans.

"As a result of the rethink, the proposals presented to the potential landlord were delayed.

"We've now made a presentation. We've made a formal request to lease the building.'' Mr. Brock said NDC members decided at this stage not to publicise the "proposal'' presented to the potential landlord, as yet unnamed.

"There's no opposition to disclosing the document. It's a question of timing.'' Mr. Brock said the half-way house would provide closely-supervised care for addicts after they had received treatment at primary centres, such as Addiction Services, Salvation Army and Montrose Substance Abuse Centre.

"The concept is that after primary treatment people need to be in a controlled after-care facility.'' Previously, Mr. Brock has stated the half-way house would provide residential after-care for about 50 recovering addicts. They would be able to stay there for varying times -- perhaps between six and eight months, depending on the individual.

The centre would incorporate a kitchen, counselling rooms and recreation area.

Some $500,000 has been budgeted for the half-way house. But it is hoped costs could be reduced by getting patients to pay for their upkeep.

"Ideally we would want to have clients pay a portion. I don't see this facility as being free,'' said Mr. Brock.