Government will fund 16 programmes through the National Drug Commission this financial year, Health Minister reported on Friday.

Responding to parliamentary questions submitted by her shadow counterpart Michael Dunkley, Ms Minors said that the quango funded six programmes during the year ending March 31, 2003.

A total of 232 clients were serviced ? 60 by the Salvation Army Aftercare facility, 36 by the Salvation Army Harbour Light programme and 51 by the Bermuda Assessment & Referral Center.

Fair Havens Christian Care Associates and Focus Counselling serviced four and 60 clients respectively, while the Camp Spirit Male Therapeutic Programme serviced 21 clients.

Mrs. Minors reported that the programmes being funded by the quango this year included the two Salvation Army programmes, Focus, Camp Spirit, the Women?s Treatment programme, Pride Bermuda, the Family Center and the Bermuda Council for Drug Free Sports.

NDC will also fund the Communities that Care Programme, the Bermuda Addictions Certification Board the Bermuda Prevention Network, research and community development programmes, she said.

And responding to another set of questions from the Opposition?s spokesperson for Women?s Issues, , Mrs. Minors revealed that the NDC had entered into a one year consultancy agreement that would cost the quango $96,000, or $8,000 a month.

Twin Ministries Consultancy had been contracted to initiate the Women?s Treatment Programme and Residential facility, she said.

?Twin Ministries Consultancy is presently implementing an on island residential programme which will provide treatment and relapse prevention training to women with alcohol and substance abuse problems through a wrap around programme dedicated to habilitation and rehabilitation conducive to developing and maintaining alternative, healthy, drug-free lifestyles,? Mrs. Minors said in written answers to a question about the contract.

?The programme is being built on accreditation standards from its inception.?

Asked how such contracts with outside consultants are obtained, she replied: ?Twin Ministries was instrumental in the problem analysis and identified a modality which would meet the gaps in the treatment system. Therefore they had the knowledge and good appreciation for how to move forward. The contract was awarded on that basis.?