She has the motivation and intellect to help combat Bermuda's growing drug problem.

But what Miss Timmacina Webb, 26, doesn't have is the money to pursue her education.

She says she has approached Government and every organisation she can think of to obtain funds so she could go overseas to study chemical dependency but has had no success.

"I want to do a drug rehabilitation course at the Columbus State Community College in Ohio and the problem that I have come up against since I have been back for the summer is that I have looked around to find out what funds are available for persons who want to pursue this course and I have come up with no funding,'' she said.

"I feel very disgusted, frustrated and ashamed of this Country, ashamed that I have political figures that say they have the better interest of this Island at hand but are not gearing the funds that they accumulate towards implementing a plan or programme for people who are on substance abuse.'' Miss Webb said she had applied to the National Drug Commission, which sent her a letter saying they could not help her, and she spoke to Human Affairs Minister the Hon. Jerome Dill, Health Minister the Hon. Quinton Edness, and Tourism Minister the Hon. C.V. (Jim) Woolridge about how to go about getting funds.

Miss Webb said she hoped to leave for school on September 2 and added: "I am tired of No. I don't know where the money is coming from and if Government is really concerned in helping this society fight the drug war then why not assist my efforts to pursue this course in chemical dependency.

"I challenge Government to assist me being that they say they want to rectify the problem.'' Miss Webb added that the Bermuda College does not have a programme dealing with chemical dependency.

"The programme I want to take in Ohio is internationally recognised, it has more exposure and is more advanced. The school is always updating itself.

"I am appealing publicly to Government or any companies for assistance and I have knocked on all the doors asking whether they are going to help me.'' An Addiction Services spokesman said the organisation does not give money for assistance.

But he added when trying to get funds from anyone a person must have fulfilled several requirements.

Deputy chairman of the National Drug Commission Mrs. Sandra Bain said: "We are in the position to financially support a number of initiatives but it was unfortunate at this time that we were not in a position to accommodate Miss Webb.

"She was given consideration by the NDC but this time she just wasn't successful in her request.''