it was learned yesterday.

There were only seven women drug addicts on the waiting list, but Bermuda's first residential rehab was getting numerous inquiries daily, its executive director Mrs. Gloria Cholmondely-Mills said yesterday.

She guessed there were at least 200 women in Bermuda addicted to cocaine and/or heroin.

But the word was out that Fair Havens was full, so they were not bothering to put their names on the waiting list, she believed.

"There was a lot more interest (in Fair Havens) than thought,'' Mrs.

Cholmondely-Mills said.

National Drug Commission interim steering committee chairman Mr. Alastair Macdonald yesterday assured drug addiction treatment was a priority.

Treatment committee members, who include recovering addicts, counsellors, doctors and others were meeting for two days in mid-December to come up with an adequate drug treatment system for Bermuda, he said.

Praising Fair Havens as a "wonderful initiative that's long-overdue'', he said he would like to see it expanded.

Fair Havens, which opened this summer, takes up to 10 women.

All beds were currently taken and there will be no more spaces for at least 10 months, the minimum duration of the programme.

Most of the women now at Fair Havens were addicted to crack, Mrs.

Cholmondely-Mills said.

"I think the drug problem here is just as bad with men,'' she said. "But we did not expect women to fall into the trap too, so it's more noticeable -- and concerning because the women are of child bearing age.'' She added those who had places in the programme were doing well.

Mrs. Cholmondely-Mills did not want to comment on claims this week that Fair Havens was desperate for money.

The rehab was in danger of being closed down, Council Partners fundraising committee chairperson Mrs. Katherine Watson said in explaining the need to start a major fundraising drive right away.

Fair Havens is one of six drug fighting organisations making up the Council Partners.