Headlines, PublicNet: 17 October, 1997

The appointments of Keith Hellawell, as the UK Anti Drugs Co-ordinator and Michael Trace, as his deputy mark the first step towards a coherent anti drugs strategy.The need for a more coherent approach to the drugs problem has been recognised for a long time. Although there is collaboration at local level, the patchwork of departments, local authorities, police, NHS Executive and trusts, agencies and voluntary bodies is not effective in addressing one of the most complex issues confronting society. A particular weakness of the current arrangements is that funding is provided from a budget in one of the organisations and can only be used in a specified way. The greatest need at the sharp end may be somewhat different and the result is that best value for money is not achieved. This is one of the issues the strategy will need to address.

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