Mr. Ming, the former head of the National Alcohol and Drug Agency who last year inspired Bermudians through his strong recovery from a heart transplant, said the recent appointment of Mrs. Eugenie Simmons was "the straw that broke the camel's back.'' And it was time for NDC chairman Mr. Alastair Macdonald to step aside in the interests of Bermuda, he said.

Mr. Ming, 46, compared selection of the NDC chief executive officer to the choice of a pitcher to compete in baseball's World Series.

"You have a choice of a proven major league pitcer,'' Mr. Ming told The Royal Gazette . "You choose not just a minor league player, but a little league player.'' Mr. Ming said there were actually two "major league pitchers'' overlooked by the NDC.

One was Prison psychologist Dr. Derrick Binns, who The Royal Gazette has learned was the top contender for the post behind Mrs. Simmons.

Mr. Ming said he was also willing to take the job himself.

"Unfortunately, I was not in Bermuda when applications were called for,'' Mr.

Ming said. "I was in hospital, not knowing whether I was going to live, and I was unable to apply.'' However, "I felt fairly secure on coming back to Bermuda in December and learning that a person I felt was eminently qualified had applied for the job.'' Knowing who had applied besides Dr. Binns, "I felt that a kindergarten student could choose the right candidate.'' The NDC's choice of Mrs. Simmons reflected a desire for "power and control'' on the part of Mr. Macdonald, he charged.

"The chairman of the board then becomes very suspect in terms of what other decisions were made based on the same considerations.'' As for Mr. Macdonald, "I would say it would be in the best interest of this country, if we are to move forward, that he not be there,'' Mr. Ming said.

Mr. Macdonald expressed "disappointment'' over Mr. Ming's comments. "I would have expected him to have approached me directly with his concerns,'' he said.

Mr. Ming was frustrated by the pace of his recovery and because "he left Bermuda in charge of the war against drugs and now finds himself in a lesser role,'' he said.

"I am truly sympathetic. Yet life goes on and we as a community must deal with this growing menace.'' Saying he had not resigned, Mr. Ming said: "I'm seeking some ways of getting out of the NDC,'' where he had been working on special projects after offering his assistance.

He stressed he spoke not in his own interests, but Bermuda's. "The people who are going to be suffering are the people of Bermuda,'' he said. "They are always the ones who I have been accountable to.'' Earlier yesterday, acting Human Affairs Minister the Hon. Wayne Furbert said an Opposition attack on Mrs. Simmons' appointment was an insult to teachers.

The general secretary of the Bermuda Union of Teachers also distanced himself from the remarks of Shadow Human Affairs Minister Ms Renee Webb.

Mr. Furbert responded to Progressive Labour Party criticism of Government's selection of Mrs. Simmons to head the new drug commission.

Ms Webb said Mrs. Simmons' appointment showed a "lack of commitment'' by Government to the war on drugs.

Mrs. Simmons, who has a Masters degree in special education, helped set up the community action group Sandys Against Drugs, and helped oversee the St.

David's Community in Action pilot anti-drugs project, left her job as behavioural/educational therapist with the Education Department to take the NDC post.

Ms Webb said more qualified applicants were overlooked.

"Although we do not wish to discuss the merits of a teaching degree, nor do we suggest that such a degree is without value, we do question the jump from teacher to managing a business with a responsibility for other executives and the potential multi-million-dollar budget,'' Ms Webb said on Monday in a prepared statement on PLP letterhead.

Yesterday, Mr. Furbert said the comments were "totally off base.'' "It is an insult, first, to teachers, who have been trained over the years in many disciplines,'' including communications and other interpersonal skills, he said.

Bermudians who successfully made the jump from teaching to administration included Tourism Director Mr. Gary Phillips, Bermuda Monetary Authority chairman Mr. Mansfield (Jim) Brock, and Finance Minister the Hon. David Saul, he said.

BUT general secretary Sen. Milton Scott, who is also Opposition Leader in the Senate, said if Ms Webb's comment was meant to apply to teachers generally, "she's treading on fairly shaky ground.'' But Sen. Scott said he spoke to Ms Webb and understood she was only referring to Mrs. Simmons.

He noted that more than 75 percent of Bermuda teachers had university degrees, and more than half of those either held or were working on a Masters degree.

When it was noted that Mrs. Simmons had a Masters degree, Sen.

Scott said: "Ms Webb would have to clear that up herself.

"She has a right to criticise,'' he said. "It was not a fair statement if it was intended to criticise teachers, which I understand it was not.'' Ms Webb said her comment was directed specifically at Mrs. Simmons, not at teachers generally.

"We need to have someone with expertise in dealing with drugs in Bermuda,'' Ms Webb said. "Because you helped set up a community group, even though it might be effective as a community project, does not mean you are capable of handling the whole issue of drugs in Bermuda.'' It was a PLP statement that she delivered to the media, approved by Opposition Leader Mr. Frederick Wade, who was himself a former teacher, she said.

Mr. Furbert said he was sure the NDC went through the normal process in choosing Mrs. Simmons, who would answer to the NDC board. Also, the fact Mrs.

Simmons was a black woman was a positive step in Government's efforts to smash Bermuda's "glass ceiling,'' he said.

Dr.

Binns declined to enter the fray.

"In my mind, a decision was made and the matter is closed,'' he said. "I choose to respect the confidentiality of the application process.'' Mr. Macdonald said the drug problem in Bermuda appeared to be worsening, and "we would just like it if the politicians would let us get on with the task at hand.'' "Mrs. Simmons is a highly-educated and a highly-motivated individual,'' Mr.

Macdonald said. "She has spent long hours of personal volunteer time trying to attack the problem of drugs in the community.

"She is an individual who we feel can make a major impact on this difficult problem.'' Mrs. Simmons represented change. "I know change can be threatening, but it will be essential if we are to deal with the drug problem.'' Mr. Furbert said the PLP had been criticising efforts to get the NDC operating from the start. "Every time we do something, they knock it,'' he said. "I just don't understand it.

"They should come aboard.'' Mrs. Eugenie Simmons.