is claimed.

Canadian drugs specialist Dr. Garth Martin said staff at Addiction Services and the Montrose Substance Abuse Centre were stretched to the limit.

And he also claimed volunteers were being used when trained staff were needed.

He declined to pick out which areas needed more funds and improved staffing.

The Island's anti-drugs leaders admitted, however, some of the concern had been met by a Budget cash injection.

Dr. Martin, a clinical auditor from Toronto-based Addiction Research Foundation, was invited here by the National Drugs Strategy team.

He is carrying out a clinical audit on the Island's drug treatment programmes.

It is focussing on the management of the schemes, and how resources can be best used.

His report should be ready in about a month.

Yesterday Dr. Martin said he had made three observations during his audit so far.

Addictions Services and the Montrose Substance Abuse Centre were "under-resourced'', he said.

"It is clear there are examples of people well over-extended in what they are trying to do.

"Volunteers are having to do what it would be more appropriate for trained staff to do.'' Dr. Martin, trained in the addiction field, also said Bermuda's treatment system was fragmented.

"This is not unique to Bermuda,'' he admitted.

Dr. Martin said more "collaboration and cooperation'' was needed to maximise the efficiency of treatment.

Thirdly, he told how impressed he was with the hard work, compassion, and capability of the people he had spoken to.

He added: "More details from my review, along with recommendations, will be included in a report I will be making in about one month's time.

"It would be premature to be more specific at this stage.'' Leaders of the two treatment programmes welcomed the review by Dr. Martin.

Mr. Alastair Macdonald, chairman of the interim steering committee of a National Drugs Strategy authority, said Dr. Martin's role was to give an independent assessment of the treatment system.

He admitted the funding problem had been answered to some degree by the Budget.

Finance Minister the Hon. Dr. David Saul on Wednesday announced an extra $750,000 to bring the National Drugs Strategy funds to $1.1 million.