PDF (Lessons learned in drug abuse prevention: a global review)

INTERNATIONAL
● Emphasising positive human attitudes and encouraging communities to build
the motivation and political will required to make positive changes in their
lives: The programme provides the practical skills and tools needed to strengthen
managerial and technical capacities within communities and thus transform social,
economic and institutional structures. In encouraging the development of self-awareness
and self-management, the IDER programme offers marginalised communities the
opportunity to participate in mainstream development.
Monitoring & Evaluation:
“Young people are our
best hope in dealing
with the problem of
drugs, so we need to
teach them about the
dangers that exist
before they find out
on their own.”
(Michael, 24 year-old youth
community worker)
Indicators for the evaluation are identified as the Action Plan is being developed.
Evaluation consists of implementation, process and outcome evaluations, of which the
former is more common. Methods used to assess biannual, quarterly or ongoing
progress have included the following: focus group discussions, rapid assessment
surveys, national household surveys, questionnaires at the community level with
Governments, NGOs and donors, national health surveys and interviews.
The evaluation looks at the results and impact of the project and its overall contribution
to demand reduction. Information is provided by the project team and through on-site
visits by the UNDCP office and the evaluator.
Outcomes:
COVERAGE
Number of children/youth reached: *
Number of peers/mediators/educators/teachers etc. trained:*
Number of families reached:*
Number of institutions/associations involved:*
*Exact numbers not known, although figures are estimated to be in the thousands
The IDER approach was implemented in several countries, and so its outcomes vary.
The programme was, however, endorsed as an approach that brings benefits to the
communities, and that is able to disseminate information on drug abuse that creates a
new sense of awareness in the community.The outcomes of the evaluations conducted
in Barbados, Bahamas and Jamaica were as follows:
In Barbados
● The establishment of a permanent administrative, co-ordinating and data centre with
trained staff-members, co-ordinating and implementing an integrated strategy was
essential to facilitate coordination in the community and at the public sector level.
● A significant improvement in the knowledge and understanding of the abuse
phenomenon in Barbados through the conduct of rapid assessment studies.
● The availability of trained peer counsellors, educational materials and the establishment
of anti-narcotics clubs in secondary schools opened new prevention opportunities
in schools.
● The availability of trained community leaders capable of performing early detection,
providing basic counselling and assisting with rehabilitation has bolstered community
participation and positive results.
In the Bahamas
● The provision of counselling and referral services in schools and in the communities
78
helped extend the links between the programme and the community.