Bermuda's first ever drugs court could be open in just over a year -- with a brief to keep cases secret.

And the retiring Chairman of the National Drugs Commission is to stay in the post to see the job completed.

Mansfield (Jimmy) Brock told The Royal Gazette that the 18-member implementation committee had targeted an opening date of November 1 1999, with the next Chairman already having been identified.

He also revealed defendants in the court may not have to have their names published.

Mr. Brock, already due to have retired from his position as head of the NDC, said one of his main priorities was to ensure drug users could be given "a second chance'' for offences in their teenage years.

He said users with criminal convictions were barred from travelling to the US as they were registered on a stop list.

But he added: "We are hoping to ensure that people's names aren't published.

"Just because they made a mistake when they were 16, 17 or 18 doesn't mean they should be punished for life.

"I have a case right now of a young man convicted of possession at age 18.

He's now 34 and he's still on the stop list.

"We want the drugs court to provide treatment as an alternative to the usual fines for simple possession offences.'' It is understood that a senior Bermudian religious figure has already been approached about taking Mr. Brock's post.

And Mr. Brock revealed that a Bermudian successor had now been appointed, but would not yet be named.

He said: "I agreed in January to stay on until we appointed another Chairman and I have already identified a person to be my successor.

"That person agreed to be appointed but is not yet ready to take the position. I have therefore agreed to stay on -- especially considering we are now developing a drugs court in Bermuda.

"I am willing to stay on until either that drugs court is finalised or another appointment is made.

"I'm extremely pleased and excited about the prospect of establishing a drugs court.

"That's why I have changed my mind with respect to the immediacy of leaving.'' It is believed Mr. Brock's successor will not be able to step into the NDC hot seat until after the court has opened.

Mr. Brock has already told Home Affairs Minister Maxwell Burgess that he wants to stay in the position.

He added that key organisers, including co-ordinator Malcolm Butterfield, were looking at opening the $1.5 million court in record time.

Similar courts in the US have taken 18 months to implement.

The wraps only came off the Bermuda model for the court last month.

But the implementation team believe they are already ahead of schedule with early preparations.

A new treatment and assessment centre for drug users will be set up to run alongside the drugs court.

No drug dealers will be dealt with by the court, which is designed to give addicts a one-year rehabilitation programme instead of sentences.

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