Elements and Functions of a National Observatory on Drugs - cicad ...

ORGANIZATION OFAMERICAN STATES<strong>Elements</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>Functions</strong> <strong>of</strong> a <strong>National</strong>Drug <strong>Observatory</strong>Marya Hynes, M.H.ScO.I.D.Grenada, September 2007

EVIDENCE BASEDSTRATEGIES

DECISION THEORYPolicy FormulationDecision MakingDecision theory can be defined as thelogical <strong>and</strong> quantitative analysis <strong>of</strong> all <strong>of</strong>the factors that affect the results <strong>of</strong> adecision in a world <strong>of</strong> uncertainty.

DIAGNOSTIC-INTERVENTIONINTERVENTIONInterventionDecision Making

DECISION THEORYAccording to the previous definition we have:• FACTORS• ANALYSIS• DECISION.Or Stated in another way:• GATHERING INFORMATION• FIGURING OUT WHAT IT MEANS• DECIDING WHAT TO DO (POLICY,PROGRAMS etc..)

DECISION THEORYI1I2I3AnalysisDecisionIn

QUALITY OF THE DECISIONDid we do the right thing?‣ A problem can have more than onesolution, nevertheless, the bestsolution is one that is based on thebest information, utilizing the bestanalytical capacity available (humanresources).

QUALITY OF DECISIONINFORMATIONANALYSISDECISION<strong>National</strong> Drug<strong>Observatory</strong>: : Capacity togenerate <strong>and</strong>/or gatherNDO: Capacity to combineinformation <strong>of</strong> differentorigins, analyze <strong>and</strong>disseminate it.Authority: : To utilize theresults <strong>of</strong> the analysis.

RESPONSIBILITIES‣ In the decision making process, this isa SHARED RESPONSIBILITY:‣<strong>National</strong> Drug <strong>Observatory</strong>‣Authority.. However, the authority is alsoresponsible for deciding what type <strong>of</strong><strong>Observatory</strong> to have.

QUALITY OF DECISION• PERFECT INFORMATION: : Makingdecisions in conditions <strong>of</strong> certainty. Dataare known.• IMPERFECT OR PARTIAL INFORMATION:Two situations:• Decisions with Risk:• Partial availability <strong>of</strong> data• Decisions with Uncertainty:• Data are not available

WHAT IS A NATIONAL DRUGOBSERVATORY?

WHAT IS A NATIONAL DRUGOBSERVATORY?The purpose <strong>of</strong> a <strong>National</strong><strong>Observatory</strong> should be to GENERATEinformation, GATHER existing datafrom different institutions orsources, SYSTEMITIZE <strong>and</strong>ANALYZE the information, <strong>and</strong>DISSEMINATE it.

NATIONAL DRUG OBSERVATORIES• Should work with the many program areasrepresented on the Drug Commission (i.e.,prevention, health, education, law enforcement)• Should generate strategic alliances with otherinstitutions in order to gain access to information<strong>and</strong> data (law enforcement, coronors <strong>of</strong>fices,health ministry, local government), <strong>and</strong> tocollaborate with researchers who can contributeto the body <strong>of</strong> knowledge on drug use(academia).

CONDITIONS FOR EFFECTIVEFUNCTIONING1. Institutional “buy-in” <strong>of</strong> the need to havean observatory.2. The “sine qua non” for an <strong>Observatory</strong>• Must be part <strong>of</strong> the structure <strong>of</strong> the DrugCommission• Budget

CONDITIONS FOR EFFECTIVEFUNCTIONING3. Clear Goals <strong>and</strong> Objectives• Clearly defined indicators• Research program to fill information gaps• A close relationship with those who provideinformation to the MEM process• A close relationship with the Dem<strong>and</strong>Reduction area(s)• Should really exist (not just on paper)4. Adequately trained personnel (Probablythe most important condition)

CONDITIONS FOR EFFECTIVEFUNCTIONING5. Strategic alliances• universities, other research institutions6. Relationship with the Inter-American <strong>Observatory</strong> on Drugs <strong>of</strong>CICAD.GOAL: Should be the <strong>of</strong>ficialsource <strong>of</strong> information on drugs.

INTER-INSTITUTIONALINSTITUTIONALRELATIONSHIPS• M.E.M• The <strong>National</strong> Drug <strong>Observatory</strong> shouldmaintain a close relationship with those whoare responsible for the MEM in the country.• Should supply reliable information to the MEMon both supply <strong>and</strong> dem<strong>and</strong> indicators• And should also VALIDATE information thatcomes from other sources to the MEM

INTER-INSTITUTIONALINSTITUTIONALRELATIONSHIPS• Dem<strong>and</strong> Reduction• A NDO should also work closely thoseresponsible for Dem<strong>and</strong> Reductionprograms.• Should provide support to the diagnosticprocess which a necessary step todeveloping <strong>and</strong> implementingprevention programs.

INTER-INSTITUTIONALINSTITUTIONALRELATIONSHIPS• Dem<strong>and</strong> Reduction• Support the EVALUATION <strong>of</strong> preventionprograms (e.g. School prevention,workplace prevention)• Act as a point <strong>of</strong> reference forinformation, i.e.,• Treatment centers (inventory <strong>of</strong> availabletreatment programs)• People in treatment (pr<strong>of</strong>ile <strong>of</strong> people intreatment)• Drug use in prison population

INTER-INSTITUTIONALINSTITUTIONALRELATIONSHIPS• External Institutions:• Police• Customs• Judicial System• Ministries (Health, Education)• Forensic Medicine• Prison system• Universities

RESEARCH INDICATORS ANDPROJECTS

INDICATORS (1)• Prevalence <strong>of</strong> drug use:• Alcohol, tabacco, marijuana, cocaine <strong>and</strong> others• Incidence <strong>of</strong> drug use• Age <strong>of</strong> initiation• Perception <strong>of</strong> risk associated with drug use• Use among peer groups: close relatives <strong>and</strong>friends• Ease <strong>of</strong> access• Morbidity <strong>and</strong> co-morbidity• Mortality• Costs <strong>of</strong> drug use

INDICATORS (2)• Assets forfeited• Laboratories seized• Persons indicted <strong>and</strong> convicted• Number <strong>of</strong> acredited treatment centers,number <strong>of</strong> patients treated,• Etc...

CURRENT OID PROJECTS• General Population 12 to 65 years• School Population 13 to 17 years• Population in Treatment• Emergency Room Patients• University Student Population• Population in Prisons• Population <strong>of</strong> Juvenile Offenders• Recently arrested persons

What We Need to Do‣ Evaluate the present condition <strong>of</strong> the<strong>National</strong> Drug Observatories, <strong>and</strong>whether <strong>and</strong> where they exist,‣ Evaluate the need to develop localObservatories in member states.

FUTURE PROJECTS:OBSERVATORIES‣ Promote the role <strong>of</strong> the<strong>National</strong> Drug Observatories:qShould be the <strong>of</strong>ficial source <strong>of</strong> information ondrugs in the county. In order to accomplish thisit must:q Generate, processs, <strong>and</strong> analyze timely, reliable,<strong>and</strong> current information on a regular basis that ispertinentq Provides the decision maker key information <strong>and</strong>the appropriate interpretation <strong>of</strong> that dataq Have access to other information sources

FUTURE PROJECTS:OBSERVATORIES‣ Work with member states todevelop human resources:qPr<strong>of</strong>ile corresponding to thefunctions <strong>of</strong> the <strong>National</strong> Drug<strong>Observatory</strong>qTraining in specific areas <strong>of</strong> needqStrategic alliances with universities(essential to accessing key humanresources)

Thank You!!!Marya Hynes DowellCICAD <strong>Observatory</strong> on Drugsmhynes@oas.org