A coalition of drugs services has called for action against drug abuse to become a 'corporate goal' for the NHS.

Roger Howard, chief executive of the Standing Conference on Drug Abuse, said it wanted to see drug issues featured in the national priorities and planning guidance sent annually to health authorities.

'Drugs are often seen as a rather peripheral, public health issue, ' he said.

'We believe they are moving up the agenda and need to be seen as a national priority.'

SCODA published an 'action plan for the next century' this week, setting out 10 areas in which action could be taken to curb drug misuse. It says early intervention is 'essential to safeguard the lives of young people' and calls for drug education to start in primary schools, backed up with education for parents.

SCODA wants to see more support for primary care services and schemes working with drug users, and has called for waiting lists for drug treatment to be cut to zero. It also wants the government's public health white paper to set specific targets on reducing chronic drug use and deaths. The green paper does not include such targets.

Government drugs czar Keith Halliwell will publish his national drugs strategy next week.

Drugs: a plan of action for the next century. The Standing Conference on Drug Abuse, 3236 Loman Street, London SE1 0EE. Circulated to selected organisations.

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