NHS FUNDS TRIP TO DRUG CLUBS

Young ravers are to be sent to Amsterdam courtesy of the National Health
Service and the European Union for what critics claim is a course on drug
cocktails, write JOHN HARLOW and SENAY BOZTAS.

The NHS and John Moores University, Liverpool, whose chancellor is Cherie
Blair, are jointly paying pounds 10,000 to send 40 lecturers and 20
students to attend a conference on drug culture and clubs in the Dutch city
this week. The EU is also subsidising the visitors.

Apart from lectures about the supposed health benefits of drug-induced
"trance dancing", the programme also includes visits to nightclubs where
drugs illegal in Britain are tested for purity at the door rather than
confiscated.

The four-day trip has been condemned by Paul Betts, father of the teenager
Leah Betts, who died after taking a single ecstasy tablet. He accused the
authorities of "playing about" with the drug issue.

"Encouraging teenagers to go to these clubs, where there is an epidemic of
cocaine, is grossly irresponsible," he said. "Such clubs should be closed
down, not promoted by the NHS."

The NHS is involved through Gerry Hale, a health worker on the NHS Centre
for Healthcare Development in Liverpool. His trip to the conference will be
paid for by the NHS.

Professor Mark Bellis, of John Moores, said that in an age of video games,
dancing was the main form of exercise for millions. He denied the
conference would encourage drug taking, but would deal with the reality of
youth habits in a pragmatic way.