The move comes amid mounting fears over the rise of heroin addicts.

Anti-drugs chiefs revealed yesterday an extra heroin counsellor would be brought in.

And the methadone treatment programme was in line for an expansion.

The programme currently catered for up to 18 addicts, said Mr. Alastair Macdonald.

It was hoped this number could be more than doubled to 40, he added.

Moves to step up the anti-heroin battle have been urged by a Canadian expert.

Dr. Garth Martin, an auditor at the Addiction Research Foundation in Toronto, was brought to Bermuda by the National Drug Strategy team.

He reviewed Bermuda's drug and alcohol treatment schemes, and found them inadequate.

One of his key recommendations is for more money to be pumped into the methadone programme.

Dr. Martin said at least three more addiction counsellors were necessary. And one counsellor should boost the methadone programme.

This week Mr. Macdonald, chairman of the drugs strategy interim steering committee, said the recommendation would be taken on board.

He added the programme -- run by Addiction Services -- could face a big shake-up.

"We will have to look at the broad question of how to improve the programme generally.

"We need to get more resources to operate it at an acceptable level. At present the service is geared for 18 people.

"We should look at shooting for between 30 and 40 people.'' Mr. Macdonald added: "We have to also examine whether Addiction Services is the best location for the programme.'' Last week it was revealed Addiction Services -- Bermuda's only heroin treatment centre -- was stretched to the limit.

There were now more than 60 heroin addicts desperately seeking help.

Over the weekend it was revealed that a quantity of methadone was stolen from Addiction Services. It is feared that it could now be sold on the streets.

Mr. Macdonald said Dr. Martin's report also spotlighted the need for boosting the standard of counselling.

"He said we should be recruiting people of different backgrounds with Masters degrees.

"It would be an attempt to raise the professional standard of training and expertise.''