CHAPTER 6 SWEDEN

The need for data on the extent of drug use and knowledge about its
causes was considered urgent, and the National Board of Health was
given the assignment to appoint a committee that would investigate the
drug problem and recommend countermeasures.35 When the committee
started in July 1965, it consisted of three members from the medical
profession (including the chairman), one assistant police commissioner
from the National Board of Police, a chief pharmacist (National Board
of Health), and a magistrate of the court of appeal who became the
secretary. In spring 1966, the committee concluded that due to the
complicated nature of the problem four sub-groups on social medicine,
technical diagnosis, juridical aspects, and care were appointed (SOU
1967: 25). Later a sub-group on prevention was added. The medical
professions were strongly represented in these working groups.

In view of the committee's broader task its name was changed to
Committee on Care of Drug Abusers, henceforth called the
Narkomanvård Committee. Four members extended the committee
itself and a journalist and a sociologist assisted the secretary.36 The
general-director of the National Board for Health, Engel, was appointed
chairman. Altogether, the committee counted nine members; seven
belonged to a medical discipline.37 On request from the standing
committee on Justice and the Riksdag, the directives to the committee
were extended in 1966 to discuss a new Drug Act as well.
The committee was in office from February 1965 until November
1969 and produced four reports. The first, "Mapping and Care", came
in February 1967 (SOU 1967: 25). The second "The Control System"
came in June 1967 (SOU 1967: 41). The third and final report, "Co-
ordinated actions", was published in November 1969 (SOU 1969: 52).
The fourth report, "Research", was released on the same date and
contained results from different research projects that had been ordered
by the committee (SOU 1969: 52).

35 In 1968, the National Board of Health and the National Board of Welfare merged
into the National Board of Health and Welfare (NBHW).
36 This journalist was Frank Hirschfeldt, one of the founders of the Swedish
Association for Assistance to Drug Abusers (RFHL).
37 Later that year one more physician was added to the committee. Altogether three
members including the chairman represented the National Board of Health on the
committee.