New National Drugs Commission head Dr. Don Philip says women's drug rehab centre Fairhavens does have a long term future.

The board has been dissolved and the 18-bed unit on Verdmont Road, Smith's is being run without a programme through Turning Point but he said clients were being treated although he could not say how many.

He said: "The board is working diligently along with the remaining board members to put in place a programme."

Fairhavens closed at the end of last year but was then reopened after a controversy and now members of charity are working with the NDC to provide a long term future.

Dr. Philip hit back at suggestions from a letter writer in The Royal Gazette last week who claimed nothing was being done by the NDC.

He said key posts which have been empty were getting filled including the appointment of Bermudians Kimberly Jackson to prevention co-ordinator and Shavana Wilson as the new community co-ordinator while a Bermudian is lined up for the treatment co-ordinator post and should be working by September.

He also said interviews were being conducted for the post of research officer with an appointment also likely by September.

Dr. Philip, who took over his post on June 1, said the NDC was active on many fronts and said an anti-marijuana campaign would be launched in the coming weeks.