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OVERVIEW Figure 4. Extensive prevention programmes on alternatives to drug use by region. Percentages of those responding to the Biennial Reports Questionnaire (BRQ, 2000) Health centres Correctional system SECTOR Workplace “It is well known that drug problems are often entwined with other social problems, and that they may therefore have a disproportionately serious impact on disadvantaged or marginalised groups within societies.” Community--based Schools 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 % Europe (n=36) Asia (n=25) Americas (n=25) Africa (n=21) More than half of the States responding from the Americas (68%) and Europe (56%), and 44% of those in Asia, report extensive prevention programmes in school settings that are focused on alternatives to drug use. In Africa this is considerably less common, as only 14% of the responding countries from that region report extensive programmes in schools. The extent of programmes implemented in health centres, the correctional system, and workplaces show no remarkable differences between the regions. However, it is worth noting that only 3% of responding countries from Europe report extensive programmes on alternatives to drug use in the workplace, whilst the corresponding figure for Africa is 5%, and 16% for the Americas and Asia. Facilitating partnerships The BRQ addresses the theme of the organisation of demand reduction activities, and whether or not there is a multisectoral committee to facilitate partnerships. The results here are remarkably positive. Most Governments (84% of all those responding and 96% of those who answered the question) reported that they have multisectoral committees at the national level. A slightly lower proportion report the existence of local multisectoral committees (62% of all respondents and 83% of replies to the question). Committees at the regional level were slightly less likely to be reported, although that difference was marginal (59% of all respondents and 80% of replies to the question). Governments also reported the establishment of an umbrella organisation for NGOs (59% of all respondents and 76% of replies to the question). The networking organisations and collaborating mechanisms were also largely reported to have provisions for identifying and including new partners (61% of all respondents and 83% of replies to the question). Focusing on special needs 20 It is well known that drug problems are often entwined with other social problems, and that they may therefore have a disproportionately serious impact on disadvantaged or marginalised groups within societies. As a result, one important area of
OVERVIEW demand reduction work consists of identifying those populations that are especially vulnerable to drug problems. Such information can lead to the better development and targeting of demand reduction programmes. In that context, it is important to ensure that interventions respect and are sensitive to cultural diversity, an issue specifically addressed in the Declaration on the Guiding Principles of Drug Demand Reduction. The importance of initiating demand reduction activities targeting particularly vulnerable groups appears to be commonly accepted, with 62% of all Governments reporting special programmes in that area. Groups that are considered vulnerable to drug problems are likely to vary between societies, whilst some commonalities can also be expected. Where demand reduction programmes have been developed, groups identified as vulnerable include sex workers, prisoners, the children of drug-using parents, indigenous populations, street children and the homeless, ethnic minority populations, young offenders, transportation workers, the economically marginalised, those excluded from school and workers in the entertainment industry. It is regarded as a point of good practice to take into account, when developing programmes, the views of those who are the targets of the demand reduction work. The involvement of young people in programme development or implementation was more commonly reported than that of members of risk groups (76% and 58% respectively across all respondents). One group commonly regarded as vulnerable to drug problems is prisoners within the criminal justice system. Demand reduction programmes designed to target ex-prisoners released into the community were reported by 47% of all responding Governments, but those targeting prisoners before release were more common (53% of all responding Governments). In addition, 44% of all Governments had established programmes for drug offenders as an alternative to punishment and conviction. Most Governments (81%) reported that their national drug strategy included public information campaigns. The campaigns were generally based on assessments (79% of replies) and took into account the social and cultural characteristics of the population (89% of replies); but it was less common for them to be evaluated afterwards (53% of replies). “...it is important to ensure that interventions respect and are sensitive to cultural diversity, an issue specifically addressed in the Declaration on the Guiding Principles of Drug Demand Reduction.” Building on experience The final section of the BRQ, entitled 'Building on experience', considers how Governments can ensure that the lessons learned about effective programme activity are transferred to ensure continuity and the further development of good practice. Over half of the respondent Governments reported that ongoing training within specialist drug services was available; this was, however, far less commonly the case for non-specialist services. Most Governments reported that some form of initial training was available for both specialist and non-specialist programme staff. 62% of respondent Governments reported that their strategies and activities were monitored and evaluated to enable them to improve their national strategy for drug demand reduction. Many Governments also reported being involved in international coordinating mechanisms for the exchange of information at the bilateral level (74%), at the regional level (80%), and at the multilateral level (74%). More disappointingly, less than half (45%) of all Governments reported maintaining a national database with information on drug demand reduction. Where such a database existed, it was not usually linked with other multinational or global networks (35% of those responding and 24% of all Governments reported that this was the case). One clear message that emerges from the abovementioned analysis of the Biennial Report Questionnaire is that Governments have a wide variety and range of experiences in demand reduction activities. There is, therefore, much to be gained by sharing the various lessons learned in order to contribute toward the achievement of the time- 21
Page 1 and 2: ODCCP Studies on Drugs and Crime MO
Page 3 and 4: This document has been prepared by
Page 5 and 6: Foreward It gives me great pleasure
Page 7 and 8: Acknowledgements: IV This report wa
Page 9 and 10: Margareta Nilson Head of Department
Page 11 and 12: Executive Summary VIII The adoption
Page 13 and 14: 1. Introduction 1.1 Background The
Page 15 and 16: INTRODUCTION 1.2 Aims and objective
Page 17 and 18: INTRODUCTION The BRQ is a global in
Page 19 and 20: INTRODUCTION ● Response rate: The
Page 21 and 22: 2. A case for drug abuse prevention
Page 23 and 24: According to UNAIDS, in June 2000 t
Page 25 and 26: Traditionally, drug abuse preventio
Page 27 and 28: OVERVIEW 3. Overview of drug abuse
Page 29 and 30: OVERVIEW About half of all Governme
Page 31: OVERVIEW Life skills development Li
Page 35 and 36: 4. Lessons learned in drug abuse pr
Page 37 and 38: Aims: To prevent children and youth
Page 39 and 40: LOCAL ● Partnerships with local G
Page 41 and 42: of crimes committed by children and
Page 43 and 44: LOCAL ● Focusing on high-risk ind
Page 45 and 46: LOCAL Aims: ● To improve safety o
Page 47 and 48: LOCAL Lessons Learned: ● Crucial
Page 49 and 50: LOCAL ● Selecting and training ap
Page 51 and 52: LOCAL and economic determinants of
Page 53 and 54: Aims: To mobilise youths for the pr
Page 55 and 56: LOCAL ● A project should not comm
Page 57 and 58: LOCAL Aims: To prevent, reduce or d
Page 59 and 60: LOCAL Lessons Learned: ● Training
Page 61 and 62: LOCAL ● Collaboration with other
Page 63 and 64: LOCAL Aims: To prevent drug abuse i
Page 65 and 66: LOCAL ● School conditions can pro
Page 67 and 68: NATIONAL It is clear from these fin
Page 69 and 70: NATIONAL ● Sensitising the teachi
Page 71 and 72: NATIONAL Aims: To prevent drug abus
Page 73 and 74: NATIONAL ● Implementing a strateg
Page 75 and 76: NATIONAL Main activities: ● Worki
Page 77 and 78: NATIONAL Substance Use Training Man
Page 79 and 80: NATIONAL ● Applying the training
Page 81 and 82: NATIONAL Youth Connection REGION: N
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NATIONAL 100 youth workers have bee
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NATIONAL the abuse of illicit drugs
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NATIONAL ● The public political a
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INTERNATIONAL There are currently e
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INTERNATIONAL ● Creation of commu
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INTERNATIONAL Mobilisation of NGOs
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INTERNATIONAL Aims: To obtain withi
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INTERNATIONAL ● Networking pools
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RECOMMENDATIONS THE RECOMMENDATION:
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given that these entities in many i
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DEFINITIONS Drug Abuse/Use In the c
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DEFINITIONS ● Universal Preventio
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