National Drug Observatory

Objective:

To establish and support the permanent monitoring systems for drugs and drug abuse (non-confidential information) in beneficiary countries, capable to perform the following tasks:

• Obtaining the best information available from different national sources;
• Maintaining and regularly reviewing a network of national information sources;
• Adding value to this information by analysing, interpreting and synthesising the data before publication;
• Developing networking activities and information services at national levels;
• Seeking to improve the quality of national information through instruments and standards being implemented in the BUMAD region and with international partners;
• Seeking to implement at national level standards developed in the BUMAD region;
• Preparing an annual national report on the drug situation;
• Preparing, and then annually updating an Information Map that is an analytical report of the national drug information system. This involves identifying the sources of epidemiological information, the data available, definitions, data quality and information flow.
• Disseminating regional and international information at national and local level through national networks.

 Implemented activities:

1. Assessment of the drug information capacity in the three countries;
2. Support to the establishment of the National Observatories on Drugs (NOD) and the Drug Information Networks (DIN).
3. Provision of equipment.
4. Provision of training.

• Laboratory for Medical and Biological Problems of Narcology at Grodno State Medical University is identified as national focal point for drugs. The legal mandate and the budget for the Laboratory to perform functions of the National Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction are currently advocated by the Ministry of Health and Ministry of the Interior;
• The staff of the Laboratory are trained on data collection and analysis in accordance with the key epidemiological indicators;
• Drug information network is identified;
• A study tour to the Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addictions in Prague was organized for the head of the Laboratory and decision makers from the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of the Interior;
• The office for the national focal point for drugs is renovated and equipped on the premises of Grodno State Medical University. Drug library created;
• First Country Drug Data Profile developed and posted on EMCDDA web site;
• 1st Drug Report Belarus 2006 created and published in Russian and English.

• Monitoring system (Ukrainian Medical and Monitoring Centre on Drugs and Alcohol) for drug and drug abuse (non-confidential information) is established by the Order of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine (.
• Capacity for data collection and analysis established through series of national and regional trainings on data collection, procedures and key epidemiological indicators.
• Office equipment provided.
• Drug Library created.
• Drug Information Network is established. Reliable, consistent and comparable information is collated from all the ministries and agencies involved in illicit drugs.
• 5 key epidemiological indicators adopted.
• First Country Drug Data Profile prepared and published.
• Links with EMCDDA established.

• National Drug Observatory functional within the Centre for Public Health and Medical Management under Ministry of Health.
• Capacity for data collection and analysis established through series of national and regional trainings on data collection, procedures and key epidemiological indicators.
• Office equipment provided.
• An NGO survey conducted by NOD in order to determine level of implication of NGOs working in the drug field.
• Drug Library created.
• Study tour to Czech NOD provided for three NOD staff.
• Drug Information Network established. Reliable, consistent and comparable information is collated from all the ministries and agencies involved in drugs issues.
• Country Drug Data Profile prepared and published.
• Two country drug annual reports produced and published in three languages: Romanian, English and Russian.
• NOD web site created: www.observator.mednet.md
• Links with EMCDDA established.

The project will enhance the permanent monitoring systems for drugs and drug abuse (non-confidential information) in Belarus, Moldova and Ukraine established under the previous two phases of the BUMAD programme following EU standards in this area.

The activities of the project will contribute both to drug supply and drug demand reduction and will reinforce the capacity to collect, analyze and disseminate data on drugs at national level, and share and improve comparability of this data at regional level. Regional comparability will be achieved through the harmonization of key epidemiological and drug supply indicators. An operational drug monitoring system will permit to rapidly identify emerging threats (early warning) and adopt appropriate strategies. It will also acquire better understanding and increase the awareness on the danger of drugs and drug trafficking.

The project will provide further technical support to the NOD including specific epidemiological training to NOD/DIN staff.