PURPOSE
While CELAC countries have come a long way in their efforts to generate and analyse drug data, there are still many challenges ahead.
In many countries, the need to set up resources and instruments for regular and sustainable data collection still remains. COPOLAD is providing technical assistance to enhance the development of well-established National Drug Observatories (NDOs), in order to serve as a useful tool for evidence-based policy-making, by:
- Continuously monitoring Drug Demand and Drug Supply Reduction indicators.
- Conducting research into new trends.
- Coordinating in each country the tasks needed for the implementation of an Early Warning System (EWS), to effectively address new threats in relation to drugs.
To achieve these goals, NDOs need to be further strengthened, in order to produce high-quality epidemiological studies (longitudinal and cross-sectional) as well as qualitative research. Close cooperation with the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA - European Union Agency) and the Inter-American Drug Abuse Control Commission (CICAD) of the Organisation of American States (OAS) and is established throughout the development of the activities of this component.
OPERATIONAL OBJECTIVES
Specific Objective
To increase the number of CELAC countries ensuring the necessary conditions and sustainability for registering and monitoring key and comparable indicators needed for evidence-based policy making in relation to drugs.
Lines of work
Institutional strengthening of NDOs
- Development and pilot implementation of monitoring instruments
- Promotion of the implementation of EWS in CELAC countries
Practical oriented training: enhancing reporting capacity of NDOs
- Production of 1st information maps in interested countries
- Training in key areas