Commission has left after three years.

Mr. Michael Stowe, acting executive officer, will be returning to the private sector.

Chairman of the National Drug Strategy Mr. Alastair Macdonald said Mr. Stowe had been employed on contract for three years assisting Dr. David Archibald in preparing his Drug Strategy Report, and for the past 18 months, he assisted the Interim Steering Committee in the lead up to the creation of the National Drug Commission.

"Given Mr. Stowe's plans to pursue other career options, and the recent establishment of the Board of The National Drug Commission, the timing is now right to begin employing permanent staff to carry out the Commission work in the community,'' Mr. Macdonald said.