Bermuda's battle against drugs.

The three year contract of National Drug Commission chief executive officer Eugenie M. Simmons has not been renewed.

Last night neither Mrs. Simmons or NDC chairman Mansfield Brock could be reached for an explanation of the move.

But at least one person involved in the war against drugs yesterday expressed shock over the decision.

Gordon Johnson of the Council on Alcohol and Drug Abuse said: "I was surprised,'' he said. "I wish her well.'' Mr. Johnson speculated that the decision could be a strategic one for the NDC and signal that change might be in the air.

"We've gone through changes and have rotated people to different positions,'' he said.

Mrs. Simmons was greeted with harsh criticism when her appointment as head of the NDC was announced in March, 1994.

At the time of her appointment, Shadow Human Affairs Minister Renee Webb and former National Alcohol and Drug Agency head Cal Ming said that more qualified applicants were overlooked for the post.