A row broke out today over a report to health chiefs on drug misuse in Bradford. Watchdogs claim it fails to point to action to deal with the growing problem.

The paper on substance misuse, to be considered by Bradford Health Authority chiefs on Wednesday, has been compiled in the light of major concerns about drugs in the district and in particular increasing numbers of injecting heroin users.

It follows a high-profile report by watchdogs at Bradford Community Health Council, who called for a series of measures to try to combat the menace as well as recommendations from Bradford's coroner urging a review of methadone prescribing practices.

Lesley Sterling-Baxter, chief officer of Bradford CHC, said: "The document gives a list of problems we are aware of and difficulties with existing services that need to be resolved, but doesn't give any guidance as to how they are to be resolved. We are looking for them to take a very proactive role in developing the services available to people but we don't see much evidence of that in this paper."

Dr Julian Roberts, consultant in public health medicine at the health authority, said the report described major changes in the way drug services were delivered and highlighted how they were working. There was a great deal of work going on in Bradford which was set to be further developed.

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