The head of the under-fire Bermuda Assessment and Referral Centre (BARC) has defended the organisation.

A report by American consultant Dr. Jacqueline Butler said BARC lacked clinical direction and that treatment providers were not using it as a clearing house.

However programme manager Nadine Lapsley-Dyer said: “It's working, we have competent staff, they are doing comprehensive assessments.”

“Overall we have 223 referrals from different agencies. We are still in our infancy stage and we are trying to get out there and market it.

“It's a whole new concept and we need to give people time to buy into it. We are too quickly criticising it before it's actually evolved.”

She said most referrals were through the judicial system as convicts went through Drug Court which gives them breaks in sentencing if they submit to a rehab programme.

Magistrate's were pleased with the BARC reports claimed Ms Lapsley-Dyer.

Health Permanent Secretary Dr. Derrick Binns said it was a major shift for clients to go to a central clearing agency rather than go straight to a drug treatment centre. And he said the agencies also had to adjust to the new system.

Drug Court Coordinator Cal Ming said worth of mouth was paramount in Bermuda and when the successes started coming through, the system would pick up.

BARC has been attacked for not referring women to drug rehab centre Fair Havens which was then forced to close.

Ms Lapsley-Dyer said from May 2001 to May 2002, BARC had 52 women referred to BARC of which 38 had assessments - 28 were then referred to treatment including 18 who were referred to Fair Havens.

She said eleven women were referred to Fair Havens last year of which three refused and five withdrew. Three women are now waiting to go to the facility in Smith's which is currently in limbo and not taking new clients.

Yesterday Health Minister Nelson Bascome said he does not know when Fair Havens would re-open.