The executive director of Bermuda's Centre for Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention (CADA) last night announced her decision to resign following a 30 percent cut in funding.

Dominique Smith, who held the post for two years, made the decision to quit at the group's annual meeting on Tuesday following much deliberation.

She said it was as a direct result of CADA suffering a severe decrease in funding this year, which meant services would have to be slashed or a member of staff made redundant.

Ms Smith added: "After spending several weeks searching for a solution and examining my intentions, and considering my commitment to the issue of substance abuse in our community, I believe it would be very difficult for me to deliver the type of strategy I envisioned for this agency without the resources available to do so.

"Yes, we could easily have made one staff member redundant and cut our public relations, consulting and staff training expenses but, in my heart of hearts, I do not feel this type of solution is a viable one for this agency to carry on its work as intended in the plans and programmes for which funding has already been provided.

"Our strategies do not stand alone, but rather are integrated as one impacts upon one another.

"It is thus with deep sadness that I have tendered my resignation to the CADA board.'' Board chairman Nancy Coelho pointed out that CADA was joint-funded by the National Drug Commission (NDC) and The Council Partners Charitable Trust (CPCT).

She said CADA was given sufficient funding to run three programmes last year.

However, changes to the NDC's focus meant funding for two of CADA's programmes, its Prevention Risk Centre and the Bermuda Responsible Alcohol Sales and Service project (BRASS), were greatly increased, while funding for its Community Development programme was withdrawn.

The cash for that project was given by the CPCT, who acted in accordance with the strategy of the National Drug Commission.

Miss Coehlo said the NDC wanted CADA to prove it could operate two programmes successfully, before it would offer additional funding to pay for the third.

But she said she hoped that within time the third programme, which saw a member of staff work with members of the community on projects they had organised, such as drama and workshops, could be revived.

She said: "There is no bad feeling towards the NDC. One of the things about programmes like these is that you can only do as much as the funding available allows.

"There are times when we have to cut. But we will not allow the community to be affected by this funding shortfall.'' Associate director Cathy Belvedere has been appointed interim executive director.

NDC chief executive officer Derek Binns said he was saddened to hear of Ms.

Smith's resignation.

But he added: "I could not say I was shocked to hear she was going. We were aware of the difficulties they were facing and, as a result of not receiving all the funding, they had to make some difficult decisions.

"The two programmes they have in place are tremendous. We are fully behind them.'' And CPCT chairman Henry B. Smith said he supported Ms. Smith's decision to quit.

He added: "We are confident that the prevention services identified as priorities within the NDC's strategic plan are the right ones for our community.

"Funding decisions are not always easy and we have made them in full consultation with the NDC and the board representative for CADA, Nancy Coelho.''