Reformed drug addicts have hit out at rumoured plans to shut Camp Spirit, the Island retreat for hardcore users keen to make the break.

They say the programme, which takes groups of around 12 people away for three months to Darrell's island in the Great Sound, has succeeded where other programmes have failed.

But they fear the programme, which began in 1999, is for the chop after new admittance was barred six weeks ago. They say only four people are now attending.

Rory Gorman, the president of Focus who run the camp, admits Camp Spirit has been scaled back as funds ran down from sponsors the Council Partners Charitable Trust (CPTC) and the National Drug Commission (NDC).

He said he expected it to be boosted once a consultant, funded by the CPTC, had given an assessment on how many staff were needed and what their qualifications should be. But Mr. Gorman couldn't rule out the camp temporarily closing while the contents of the report were digested. He said: “It depends on what they say in their report. There are other options, we can refer people to other agencies.”

He explained what had led to the review. He said: “We have been growing so fast in supplying transitional housing we didn't have funds to complete that. We have to go carefully in a planned context.

“It could be bigger than before. It would be crazy to close Camp Spirit but equally it would be crazy to live day-to-day. We need a well-run, well-managed agency.”

He said the consultant would begin work in the next few weeks and would take about a week to run the rule over the camp.

But former addicts said any closure of the Darrell's Island camp, which promotes personal responsibility and the work ethic, would have a big impact on people needing immediate help.

One said: “I am 51 years old and have been in and out of prison since I was 17 but now I am clean ever since I left three years ago.”

Another questioned why funding would be threatened when Government's new Drug Court initiative, which allows convicts to get rehab rather than jail terms, would be increasing demand for space for addicts needing to get clean.

They said being cut off from pushers and addicted friends helped them make the break from drugs when other programmes have failed.

One told The Royal Gazette: “It's ludicrous to have Camp Spirit and not use it. There are people waiting but they can't go because of what's going on. Why close it down? People are in need of help. Addicts out there only have a few rehabilitation places to go to. “

National Drugs Commission Chairman Malcolm Butterfield said: “We recognise the importance of drug treatment for Bermuda and we have to make sure people live up to and are held accountable for funding they get and the importance of running the programme well for Alternatives to Incarceration to work.”