Battle looms over funding to fight drugs

Date: 09/05/1996

By Rory Watson

A five-year plan to reduce the number of drug addicts in the Union is expected to win member state backing at next week's meeting of health ministers.

Given the political priority which EU governments now attach to fighting all aspects of the drugs trade, ministers are expected to support the programme at their meeting on Tuesday (14 May).

But they are preparing themselves for a budgetary battle with the European Parliament over funding for the various projects.

MEPs have sided with the Commission and believe the programme should be financed to the tune of 29 million ecu. But governments, who ritually pare back the original budgets for the Union's various health policies, have cut 2 million ecu from the Commission's proposal.

British Conservative MEP Sir Jack Stewart-Clark has played a leading role in the Parliament's search for an effective anti-drugs strategy over the past decade.

He insists the planned budget should not be reduced as the Union fights a phenomenon which has left 45 million people world-wide addicted to illegal drugs and created an annual turnover from illicit sales of over 400 billion ecu.

“At least as much money should be devoted to the prevention, education and rehabilitation of drug addicts as to the law and order aspect. Only by equally financing these two approaches and looking at ways to encourage drug growing nations to establish alternative cash crops, will we finally defeat the drug pusher,” says Stewart-Clark.

EU officials concede that the gap between the two sides is relatively narrow, but predict that neither is yet prepared to give way. The battle of wills will almost certainly force a conciliation meeting between the two institutions to settle the issue.

The programme to reduce drug dependency is part of the Union's growing involvement in health-related issues.

It seeks to strike a balance between advocates of repressive policies and those favouring greater emphasis on education and preventive measures.

The five-year scheme does not attempt to impose an EU-wide blueprint on member states. Instead, it encourages exchange of information on the various methods used to rehabilitate drug users and avoid relapses. It also aims to improve information, education and training to prevent drug dependence.

The Union is planning to support projects which devise teaching methods and materials designed to convince young people to stay clear of drugs. It is also aiming to back training programmes for social workers, the medical profession and police officers who are likely to come into contact with drug users.