A half-way house for drug addicts returning from overseas treatment could be built on former Base lands, it was revealed yesterday.

The National Drug Commission made the announcement as it hit back at criticism following the postponement of a national anti-drugs rally last month.

Addiction fighters called on the NDC to offer more than token gestures in the war on drugs claiming the group offered a host of `bandaid' schemes.

The National Drug Awareness Day rally was due to take place on October 21, a day after the Moment of Consciousness, but was scrapped due to bad weather.

It is now likely to be held next spring, but the cancellation prompted some members of the drug-fighting community to question the sincerity of the campaign.

Two critics, Mr. Michale Picard, director of the private Behavourial Recovery Service, and Dr. Vincent Bridgewater, a former UBP MP, also called for a local rehabilitation centre to be built.

However, the NDC said yesterday more than half its $1 million budget went on rehabilitation programmes on the Island and overseas.

"The NDC began providing treatment at overseas centres in October 1994 and we are convinced that it is the more cost effective.

"There are more treatment options available overseas than we can possibly offer in Bermuda,'' said the statement.

"However, it is essential to have a facility to help recovering addicts return to a normal life in the community after overseas treatment.

"We have determined that the need for a Drug Recovering Facility, or half- way house, has a higher priority than a residential treatment centre.'' According to the statement a site for the half-way house has been found and permission is being sought for use of a building on one of the Base lands.

The NDC said the postponement of the National Drug Awareness Day did not mean a lack of commitment and was only put off because the National Stadium was not available.

"There are hundreds of dedicated people working diligently behind the scenes to ensure that the front-line `soldiers' are given the support and the resources they need to do battle on all levels,'' said the statement.

"The NDC is made up of hundreds of these workers who are trying to bring the message home to Bermuda that drugs kill.

"Postponement of the National Drug Awareness Day does not mean a postponement of the War on Drugs, nor does it mean a lack of commitment to this initiative.'' The statement also went on to list various NDC achievements including the restructuring of the Addiction Services allowing more people to have better access to good quality programmes.