Party said yesterday.

The NLP attacked Government for shutting Opposition parties out of the effort.

It claimed the NLP and PLP should be consulted over appointments to the proposed Drug Commission's Board.

But the United Bermuda Party Government refused to ensure this by making consultation part of the Bill.

"Government's refusal to legally recognise the role that the Opposition has in the appointment of board members dooms this most important Bill to failure before it has even started,'' said the NLP's Health spokeswoman Ms Cheryl Pooley.

She added: "The UBP has proven consistently that the make-up of most Government boards are UBP members and supporters.'' The proposed legislation is set for its first reading tomorrow when the House of Assembly reconvenes.

Ms Pooley said the NLP supported the bulk of the legislation, bar seven sections. These had been outlined to Government.

Another concern was the need for "insurance companies to be made accountable to insure for addiction counselling''.

But only one of the worries had been picked out by Government as grounds for possible amendment to the Bill, said Ms Pooley.