appointments of its own to the interim drug committee -- and not just be consulted about appointments proposed by Government.

NLP Health and Social Services spokeswoman Ms Cheryl Pooley said the party is prepared to accept Premier the Hon. Sir John Swan's proposal to make Mr.

Alistair Macdonald chairman of this steering committee.

But in return, she said, the NLP wanted to put forward some names of its own for members.

The NLP nominees would not be NLP members, Ms Pooley said, but experts the NLP felt should sit on the committee. She said party is particularly anxious that various schools of thought on drug treatment be represented.

The Premier proposed the 10-member "interim steering committee'' when it became clear it would take some time to formally establish the National Drug Authority and make it operational.

Until the authority is in place, the interim committee would review and initiate many of the recommendations contained in the recent National Drug Strategy report.

The NLP appreciates being asked for its opinion on names proposed by Government for this interim committee, Ms Pooley said.

"There are, however, names of two to three persons who the NLP would like to recommend to this committee. They do not have any political affiliation to any party and are professionals in the field of chemical dependency.'' Ms Pooley said work on several important recommendations of the National Drug Strategy report can be started by this interim committee, and would require no special legislation.

The NLP particularly supports four of them, she said: Establishing a temporary half-way house.

Approaching insurance companies to cover chemical abuse treatment.

Developing and expanding the Child Development programme.

Set up the Youth Advisory Council to adopt the "Door'' council to the needs of Bermuda's youth.