formed.

They will be based on such groups as Sandys Against Drugs, and Warwick's ORSHAD.

The plans were revealed yesterday by Mr. Alastair Macdonald, chairman of the interim steering committee of the National Drug Commission.

He said a pilot group with about eight "concerned citizens'' was being formed. But he declined to disclose which community would be covered.

"It's too early to reveal that, but a survey is being carried out in the area to find what the main issues are,'' said Mr. Macdonald.

Other community groups are expected to follow suit.

In another anti-drugs move, the steering committee's Treatment Task Force will meet next month. It aims to set up a "co-ordinated'' treatment programme for addicts.

Mr. Macdonald explained the needs of people entering a programme would be assessed.

And then it was proposed that a variety of treatments would be available.

These could include the "therapeutic community approach'', which has proved successful in prisons, said Mr. Macdonald.

"It involves placing individuals into a community where they come under a lot of peer pressure, and are expected to conform to certain norms.'' Added Mr. Macdonald: "We propose to provide a whole range of treatment options.

"We need to have some control over the treatment, and to monitor the progress of people receiving it. We also want to provide some kind of follow-up system so we can ensure treatment is long-lasting.'' Mr. Macdonald said some forms of treatment were already available -- but others needed to be created.

He added the Treatment Task Force would thrash out these issues at next month's meeting.

It is a year since the drug commission's steering committee was set up. And yesterday Mr. Macdonald said he was pleased at the progress which had been made.

Among the achievements were: Creation of 11 task forces involving over 100 people to look at different aspects of the drugs war.

Successfully lobbying Government for $1.1 million.

Moving ahead with "Life Skills'' programmes in schools.

An extensive public relations programme; and Moving to new offices in Global House.