Talks are underway to provide health insurance cover for drug-abuse treatments.

A meeting updating the public on the progress of a drug master plan heard about the discussions regarding health insurance.

The National Drug Control Department's (DNDC) master plan was launched a year ago and since then it has achieved many of its goals including discussions to provide health insurance coverage for substance abuse treatments.

But speaking at Wednesday's meeting, DNDC director, Caron Assan pleaded for help from organisations in order to achieve all their aims.

She said: "We are having the update because we really need your help. We really need your assistance to get the plan going. We need to get at young people immediately for drug prevention."

Speaking about the possible implementation of insurance coverage for substance abuse treatment, Ms Assan said: "Discussions have begun and are taking place between the Ministry of Health, Bermuda Health Council and the DNDC looking at provision of health insurance coverage for people seeking substance abuse treatment."

Ms Assan said she would like more engagement from the faith-based community to get the message across to the public for drug prevention and treatment.

She explained if the faith-based community came onboard, they could spread awareness through their ministries via pastors and members.

"There are five people in my office. There is no way five people can do this," she said.

Some achievements include working closely with the Police and Customs to find strategies to fight drugs.

Ms Assan said another achievement had been mandatory TIPS training for servers and bartenders, which is now also available through a Bermuda College course.

The DNDC has made progress towards implementing the National Drug Information Network (NDIN) which would allow all agencies to share information on drug use and abuse on the Island.

In addition, Ms Assan said transitional housing has been renovated for the Women's Treatment Centre and the programmes are close to being internationally accredited.

"We are well on our way to accreditation for the Women's Treatment Centre. It should be completed by the end of the fiscal year," she added.

Finally, the DNDC has implemented mandatory drug treatment in the prisons and made site visits to various facilities in the US to find out which approach would work best on the Island.

Ms Assan added: "We have been working very diligently but needless to say, that's only the tip of the iceberg. We really need your help, assistance and commitment to help with drug prevention."

Asked why the majority of the updates are in the treatment area and not prevention, Ms Assan said prevention efforts take longer and the department was working on initiatives including a drug-free school policy, a speakers bureau and a cartoon called "Freddy the drug-free".

Asked what efforts were being made to create a campaign specifically targeted at the widespread use of marijuana, the director said a campaign had just started which will run for three months.