Drug Authority, according to the chairman of the National Drug Strategy's Interim Steering Committee.

Mr. Alastair Macdonald made the comment after a special presentation in Hamilton last week to brief MPs and Senators on the committee's activities and future directions.

"We understand that nothing like this has taken place before and we thought it was a unique opportunity to inform legislators,'' Mr. Macdonald said.

"Invitations were extended to all legislators to emphasise the non-partisan nature of this important community effort.'' Questions, comments and suggestions were encouraged, and Mr. Macdonald said the committee received positive feedback on its work.

"The legislators were very responsive and interested in what we have achieved so far,'' said Mr. Mcdonald.

"The meeting provided an ideal opportunity for the legislators to meet and get to know members of the Interim Steering Committee.'' The committee chairman said all of the participants were "obviously quite concerned'' about the prevalence of illicit drugs in the Island.

"My sense is that we've got a high level of support for what we're doing,'' he added. "This is the first time such a broad group of legislators has pulled together, regardless of political affiliation.'' The ISC is the first step towards the formation of a National Drug Authority (NDA), which will ultimately tackle the Island's growing drug problems.

Mr. Macdonald explained that the NDA would operate as a non-partisan organisation, partly funded by -- but independent from -- Government. The rest of the agency's funds will come from corporate and private contributions.