Plans to move the National Drug Commission (NDC) to the Health Ministry met strong opposition in the Senate yesterday.

But despite the protest, the National Drug Commission Repeal Act 2005 passed.

UBP Sen. Bob Richards said it was clear the repeal was not the way to go as its creator, sociologist Dr. David Archibald, was adamant that it should not be a part of Government.

?Here we are ten years later trying to do exactly what he told us not to do?.

Sen. Richards said that there has been a lack of accountability with the NDC.

?Once something like this becomes a part of central government it becomes part of a political advisory,? he said.

Sen. Richards also said that the treatment and war against drugs will become part of a political battle and ?that?s bad?.

Opposition Senate leader Kim Swan called the move ridiculous ?in the absence of an indictment? and he ridiculed the way Government has responded to the local drug epidemic.

He said Bermuda is ?saturated with a myriad of social problems? and ?health is a priority but drugs in this community are running rampant.?

Sen. Swan said that just because the NDC is having staff problems does not mean that it should become a part of Government.

PLP Sen. Walter Roban summarised the NDC?s achievements citing the Salvation Army, Women?s Treatment Centre, PRIDE, and Focus Counselling Services as some of the institutions it helped.

But Independent Sen. Carol Ann Bassett charged that Government was not being tough enough on the fight against drugs.