European health ministers wrangle over funding

Programmes sponsored by the European Union on reducing drug dependence and monitoring health standards have come a step closer to reality but now face a budgetary battle between governments and European MPs over their financing.

Last week EU health ministers gave their approval to a five year pan-European programme to tackle drug addiction designed to encourage the exchange of information between authorities on their experience in weaning people off drugs and ensuring that they do not relapse. The initiative will concentrate on educating vulnerable groups, such as …