Doubt has been cast on The National Drug Commission's plan to re-open Darrell's island drug retreat Camp Spirit on a year-round basis after Government said the AME church will get the lease again next year.

Works and Engineering Minister Alex Scott said yesterday the church had been a good tenant in over the last 30 years, had made improvements to the island and let many other community groups use the island.

He said: "We have every intention of continuing the lease with the AME church."

Before Camp Spirit closed in April it used the island from October to June with the permission of the AME church who took it over during the summer months.

Mr. Scott said the ministry had been caught off guard with National Drugs Commission Chairman Malcolm Butterfield pronouncement earlier this month that Camp Spirit will be open (on the) island year round.

He said: "I was surprised to see that in print. I know members of staff had a meeting with Health and Family services had discussions about the possibility, but a decision was not reached."

Mr. Butterfield's claim prompted Reverend Betty Furbert-Woolridge, who runs camps at the island, to say the church did not want to share the island in the summer.

Mr. Scott said: "We have not received word from Reverend Furbert-Woolridge that she intends to sublet it for 12 months."

Both Reverend Furbert-Woolridge, Mr. Butterfield and acting NDC CEO, Dr. Don Philip, have failed to return calls to The Royal Gazette this week.

Acting permanent secretary for Health Luelle Todd said: "We will have to look for another site for those three months. It's still to be determined."

The camp, which closed in April, was taken over by The National Drug Commission (NDC) in May from counselling service Focus.

Camp Spirit is set to re-open on January 6 to take 14 male addicts for three month periods.