Bermudian Dr. Don Q. Philip was named the new chief executive officer of the National Drug Commission on Thursday.

"I am honoured that the Board of the National Drug Commission has placed its trust in my ability to guide the NDC in furtherance of its mission to reduce the harm associated with the use and abuse of alcohol and drugs," Dr. Philip told the media.

"The work of the NDC is unceasing despite perceptions and reports to the contrary. The NDC will continue with its mandate of providing education and prevention, leadership and collaboration, policy and legislative development in the furtherance of the addiction treatment continuum."

Dr. Philip is an expert in the psychological impact and teratogenic effects of alcohol and the Foetal Alcohol Syndrome. He has also trained as a clinical geneticist, research scientist and physician. Dr. Philip specialised in behavioural/medical genetics and family therapy with emphasis on genetic counselling, alcohol and substance abuse counselling, psychosocial counselling, risk analysis, management and strategic planning.

Dr. Philip was educated at West End Primary then Sandys Secondary School. He went on to earn a B.Sc in Biology from Central State University, Ohio, a M.S. in Microbiology and a Ph.D in Clinical Genetics from Howard University, Washington, D.C. He then did a M.D. from Universidad Tecnologica de Santiago, Dominican Republic, and courses leading to a M.S. in Forensic Science at George Washington University, Washington, D.C.

Dr. Philip completed his medical internship and training at the Armed Forces Military Hospital in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. He formerly served as medical officer in the Department of Internal Medicine at the King Edward VII Memorial Hospital, and since 200 has been a medical officer in the Department of Health, working directly with the chief medical officer and the permanent secretary for health.

With extensive international experience, Dr. Philip has established invaluable academic, government, NGO and military associates.

Being with his family is what he likes to do most in his spare time. He also likes exploring different theories, reading biographies, and comparing and contrasting critical viewpoints of world events in Spanish, English and Portuguese (Brazilian) media.