the Progressive Labour Party as he urged acceleration in forming a national drugs authority.

Mr. Edness said he was fed up with apparent PLP bickering over appointing a chairman to an interim committee. The committee would allow some measures to be enforced before a drugs authority was formally set up in Parliament.

Mr. Edness appealed to the PLP: "Let's get on with it.'' But last night Shadow Health Minister Mr. Nelson Bascome warned against turning the drugs issue into a "media war''. "The matter should transcend politics. It is far too important for that.'' Mr. Bascome, however, declined to speak specifically on Mr. Edness's comments.

Mr. Edness spoke last night following remarks by PLP leader Mr. Frederick Wade.

He accused Mr. Wade of misleading comments about an alleged lack of PLP consultation over appointing a chairman to the interim committee.

Said Mr. Edness: "Mr. Wade had the opportunity to agree, disagree, or put forward another name. We have submitted a name for chairman to the interim committee which we want in place before we get the legislation to set up an authority.'' Mr. Edness added Mr. Wade had also received "terms of reference'' about the interim committee.

"We are waiting to hear from him whether he agrees with the suggestion for chairman.'' He went on: "I will not say Mr. Wade is politically stonewalling, but I feel we should get moving. I am exasperated and frustrated that things are not moving ahead as quickly as I would like.'' Mr. Edness also took issue with alleged PLP insistence the party should appoint some members to the board of the drug authority.

"Government feels we should have a cross section of representatives from various backgrounds.

"The members should not be, for want of a better word, political hacks, who are identified with one particular party.

"There has to be give and take over the appointments.'' Mr. Edness said Government aligned itself with board selection principles outlined by Dr. David Archibald in his report on a national drugs strategy.

These stated the board should be composed of high calibre, public-spirited people from a range of backgrounds.

The average Bermudian should also have confidence in the board members, who would be non-political.

Dr. Archibald stated the first section of the board -- the chairman and five others -- should be selected and appointed by the Governor on advice from the Premier.

The Premier would give advice after consultation with leaders of the Opposition parties. The six appointees would then select and invite four others to complete a ten-man board.

Mr. Edness said he personally hoped for the drugs authority to be formally set up weeks after the House of Assembly reconvened next month. But it would be wrong to commit Government to a specific time frame.

"I am not prepared to say when it will get off the ground, but it must be set up this year. We must have the legislation in place.'' Mr. Edness said Government was currently considering anti-drug measures it could introduce beforehand. These included decriminalisation of the drug user, and wider use of treatment.