Paediatricians did not have duty of care to patient's mother.

Heroin users should, in certain circumstances, be able to get the drug on prescription from their GP, a Home Office strategy on tackling drug misuse has recommended. The move recognises that not all users find that methadone, the commonly prescribed substitute, works. For some users, it may be better, initially at least, to prescribe heroin, but then gradually move on to methadone. The announcement came as part of a major government initiative to tackle the problem of illegal drugs use in the United Kingdom. The government’s latest strategy includes a substantial cash injection for treatment services and an advertising campaign about the dangers of drug misuse, due to start in spring 2003, targeting young people. The home secretary, David Blunkett, has also announced that the total spend on initiatives to tackle drug misuse will rise to nearly £1.5bn ($2.3bn; €2.3bn) in 2005-6, an increase of nearly £500m. Lynn Eaton London