It is time to stop the finger pointing and get to grips with the Island's drug problem, the chairman-elect of charity drug funders the Council Partners Charitable Trust (CPCT) said yesterday.

Garry Madeiros told CPCT supporters at a lunch for outgoing chairman Henry B. Smith, that it was time for action rather than introspection.

He said: "It's a distinct opportunity. There is no question about what the issues are."

He said he had spoken to all the key players and read all the reports showing the problems and possible solutions to the Island's handling of drug treatment.

"I think they are telling us all what we already know."

He said it was clear the CP needed to forge a close relationship with Government quango the National Drug Agency and to help people and plug the gaps in the system.

However recently the NDC and various drug agencies have come under fire for underperforming while people have also attacked the CPCT for meddling.

Mr. Madeiros, who is also boss Belco, said: "Why we as an Island can make it so difficult is attached to a number of things called politics, personalities and making tough decisions. It isn't that difficult.

"Money can't be an issue because Government funds it, you good people give to it so it is just us in the system who have to come to grips with it.

"I am hoping the NDC and CPCT can get everyone together so we can have some really hard, honest open discussion because everyone is pointing fingers.

"The documentation is there telling us exactly what the problems are. We don't need any more, we just have to act."

He said the CPCT, which funds drug agencies, was looking at helping people directly.