Critics say the cuts will cause Finland to lose its standing in the field of alcohol research. Scientists say they're in the midst of experiments that provide clues to what triggers dependence in the brain.

“We are researching medications aimed at suppressing drinking urges and improving stress management among alcoholics,” says Kalervo Kiianmaa, a professor at the institute.

THL's Director General Pekka Puska points out that the research organisations that merged to form the THL last year—STAKES (National Research and Development Centre for Welfare and Health) and the KTL (National Public Health Institute)—had produced a fair amount of alcohol research over the years.

“Public spending is tight and that's unfortunate as we’re dealing with an enormous problem,” says Puska.

Rats Help Alcohol Studies

THL researchers have studied specially bred rats to help determine how alcohol dependence develops. Rats are bred in two main categories: those in the AA-line are brought up as high-drinkers while the teetotaler ANA rats avoid alcohol.

If an AA rat is faced with a choice of alcohol or water, it always chooses alcohol. Some medications on the market today used to treat alcoholism can be traced back to studies with rats.

Neither universities nor public institutes can afford to house the rat laboratory for continued research. This summer the rodents will be transported to laboratories in the United States, leaving Finnish scientists behind.