and certification for those who counsel and treat drug and alcohol addicts.

In Bermuda currently, "there is no formal accreditation process'', and credentials among those active in the field are "a hodge-podge,'' said lawyer Mr. John Riihiluoma, who chairs the NDC committee.

"We're seeking information from other jurisdictions about what regulatory regimes they have,'' Mr. Riihiluoma told The Royal Gazette .

The committee, which began meeting in the fall, is also looking at services now provided and the credentials of those providing them.

"Substance abuse, one recognises, is a serious problem in the community,'' he said. "It follows that the treatment of substance abuse is important.

"Therefore, there should be some standards laid down with respect to those people who are holding themselves out to serve people with substance abuse problems.'' Eventually, the NDC will make recommendations to Government on creation of a regulatory body and regulations, likely similar to what is now in place for Professions Supplementary to Medicine, Mr. Riihiluoma said. He could not provide a timetable.

Mr. Riihiluoma was responding to an editorial in The Royal Gazette on Wednesday which called for improved professional standards in Government agencies like Addiction Services, as well as the private sector.

He said it was too early to comment on requirements elsewhere, but it appeared there was no single accepted standard. "It's a problem other countries seem to be grappling with,'' he said.