Drug-busters yesterday announced a new-style partnership -- only days after the National Drug Commission was slammed in a row over the sacking of a top soldier in the war against drugs.

And NDC chairman Malcolm Butterfield insisted Health and Social Services Minister Nelson Bascome -- who demanded a full report on the incident -- was happy with the circumstances surrounding the firing of treatment co-ordinator Lynda Price.

Mr. Butterfield said: "We have briefed the Minister and he is certainly free to address this.

"He has been fully appraised of the situation and certainly supports the action which has been taken so far.'' Mr. Butterfield, however, refused to discuss details of the events surrounding the sacking after a Press conference to announce the new deal.

It was said by professional insiders to be part of the in-fighting which has crippled the NDC as an effective weapon against drugs.

He said: "We have taken the view that we're not going to talk about it in the Press.

"Everyone has been briefed and that's all we're prepared to say at this stage.'' But he added: "The Minister is satisfied everything was done appropriately.'' After the Press conference, Mr. Butterfield told The Royal Gazette : "There were certain disagreements, but they're sorted out and put behind us. We're looking forward to moving forward in this area.'' Mr. Bascome confirmed yesterday: "I saw what they reported and basically I had no problems with the way this was conducted.'' The news came as a new contract between the NDC and the Council Partners' Charitable Trust, which raises private sector cash to fund drugs programmes was revealed.

The Royal Gazette exclusively reported on Friday that Canadian Dr. Price had been given the boot in a turf war over responsibility at the Bermuda Youth Counselling Services (BYCS).

A problem between staff and the manager of the BYCS escalated after NDC chief executive Derrick Binns got involved while Dr. Price was on holiday.

Editorial: Page 4 Drug warrior `victim of in-fighting' It was claimed Dr. Price was ordered to sort the problem out by Dr. Binns after she returned.

One insider said Dr. Price followed advice from the advisory council rather than Dr. Binns -- and was later fired while she was off work ill.

Drugs war insiders said the row was symptomatic of infighting at the NDC -- which they claimed reduced its effectiveness.

They added that the sacking could affect the new Drugs Court plan as Dr. Price had been heavily involved in setting up the new court's treatment programme.

Insiders insisted that the NDC had failed over a decade to stamp its mark on the drugs war and that, compared to similar bodies in other countries, it had been inadequate in coming up with programmes and clear objectives.

And they warned it was time to think about using the $1.8 million a year spent on the NDC to fund other programmes, both Government and private.