U-turn.

People hooked on painkillers and Valium -- once dubbed the "housewife's choice'' -- will now be offered help.

They will be able to attend treatment programmes set up by the proposed National Drug Commission.

Government had planned treatment just for abusers of illegal drugs.

But the decision triggered a furious outcry from the National Liberal Party.

It called for a rethink, and changes to the National Drug Commission Bill tabled at the House of Assembly.

Now Government has bowed to pressure, withdrawn the Bill, and produced another one.

It is likely to be discussed by MPs at the House next Friday.

The Bill's aim is to set up a National Drug Commission responsible for policies and programmes to prevent substance abuse.

Treatment and rehabilitation of drug abusers are also planned -- as recommended in the Dr. David Archibald report.

The about-turn over legal drugs is one of a string of amendments to the legislation.

Government also gave in to the Progressive Labour Party calls for a key amendment.

This would ensure regulations intended by the Social Services Minister are debated by the House of Assembly before becoming law.

Other amendments include: Slashing membership of the Commission's Board from 15 to 11.

Dropping the Permanent Secretary of the Labour and Home Affairs Ministry from those to be ex-offico Board members.

Allowing the National Drug Commission to charge rent for property it owns.

Cutting from eight to six the minimum number of members for a quorum at a Board meeting.

Ensuring income and expenditure estimates are sent to the Social Services Minister no later than seven months before the start of the financial year.

Previously it was nine.

But protests about appointments to the Board have been dismissed by Social Services Minister the Hon. Quinton Edness.

Earlier this month, the NLP argued it and the PLP should be consulted over appointments.

But Government refused to ensure this by making consultation part of the Bill, it claimed.

And it accused Government of always appointing UBP supporters to boards.

Yesterday Mr. Edness said the Opposition parties wanted to appoint people directly to the Board.

But Government was strongly against this, saying it wanted non-political appointees.

"We want parties to accept this matter of drugs on a bi-partisan basis,'' he said.

Government wanted Board members with drugs expertise, said Mr. Edness.

Yesterday NLP spokeswoman Ms Cheryl Pooley said it had been "ludicrous'' for Government not to include legal drugs in the legislation.

And she welcomed the turnaround, but criticised Government for ignoring the NLP's other concerns.

These included clearly stating alcohol would also be covered by the Bill.

The NLP also wanted plans for a "half-way house'' for drug users to be written into the legislation.