National Drugs Information Unit and International Relations Department (NDIU) (National Focal Point)

Office for Combating Drugs Abuse (OCDA) was established as an expert service of the Croatian Government responsible for the systematic monitoring of the drugs situation as well as for the implementation of the National Strategy on Combating Drugs Abuse in the Republic of Croatia. Therefore, as the national coordinating body in the field of drugs, it coordinates activities of all relevant authorities and encourages the development of and cooperation with civil society organizations dealing with the drug addiction problem. In order to create a scientifically based approach towards combating drugs abuse and resolve effectively the above mentioned problems, the OCDA has established the National Drugs Information Unit (NDIU) that initiates, coordinates and affects the activities of all partners involved in the National Drugs Information System in the Republic of Croatia (NDIS).

The fundamental legal basis for collecting data to monitor the situation in the field of drugs and drug addiction is the Drug Abuse Prevention Act. In order to harmonize national legislation with the acquis communautaire, in October 2006 the Croatian Government adopted the Decree on the Amendments to the Decree on Establishing the Office for Combating Drugs Abuse setting up National Drugs Information Unit and International Relations Department which is primarily responsible for direct cooperation with the EMCDDA's Reitox network. NDIU was established as an important element of the structure of the OCDA, whose main role is collecting all available information about the drugs issue from the relevant institutions, government bodies and civil society organizations to prepare an objective view of the drugs and drug addiction situation in the Republic of Croatia as a basis for policy in this area. In addition to collecting, harmonizing and analysing data, the NDIU monitors and analyses the national scientific, legal and political developments in the field of combating drug abuse. The organized network of relevant information sources will enable greater accessibility and quality of important information for international reporting through national reports and statistical standard tables.

NDIU is primarily a coordinator of activities and main partner to all subjects of the NDIS and as such works intensively to strengthen partnerships with all relevant elements of the NDIS, as well as to meet the requirements to obtain full political support at national level. However, the task of the NDIU is not only coordinating the activities of partner institutions in order to collect and analyse data for reporting superior national and international authorities, but also to provide a two-way process that enables the overall NDIS, and the entire public, as well as the European Union access to relevant information and the state of the drugs problem in the country. This applies particularly to the National report that needs to be formally presented to inform all relevant authorities, experts, politicians and the general public about the current situation in the field of drugs and drug addiction in the country, and get feedback on the quality of the Report and proposals for taking adequate measures. In this way it is possible to: ensure transparency, strengthen the role of the NDIU and cooperation with partner institutions, highlight certain trends and problems in the country, warn politicians about specific / important issues, ensure that the drugs problem remains in the centre of public attention.

Information and Documentation Centre is being established at the NDIU which will, apart from specialized literature in the field of drugs, contain a database of relevant research and project documentation in the field of drug demand reduction. This will contribute to the integration into the EMCDDA's new system which collects data on best national practices.

In addition to regular communication with partners in the NDIS, in order to build teamwork and a multidisciplinary system development, the NDIU is required specifically to advocate transparency of the whole NDIS. The responsibility of the entire system is reflected in the responsible handling, particularly towards partners whose help is essential for the realisation of our work, and the society that gives us confidence for our actions. Only by providing objective, scientifically based and reliable information and readiness for regular collaboration and communication, a system that enjoys the trust of citizens and policy will be built.

Communication with the EMCDDA

The NDIU coordinates activities of the NDIS in the country, while at the European level, as an integral part of the European Information Network on Drugs and Drug Addiction (Reitox), it acts as a national partner for direct cooperation with the EMCDDA. The NDIU is specifically responsible for providing data about the national situation in the field of drugs through standardized forms for reporting and full annual report, as well as fulfilling other obligations pursuant to claims of the EMCDDA.

The annual reporting system rests on compliance with agreed deadlines and guidelines. NDIU is the major national centre since it is responsible for evaluating the data submitted to the EMCDDA. National Focal Points are required to report on data available in their countries while respecting scientific standards, and citing sources of information when possible. When data requested through the EMCDDA's guidelines is not readily available at national level, the NDIU shall take all measures to try to obtain the information requested, but not build parallel systems. The NDIU is expected to report on any new information and update existing ones. The EMCDDA can ad hoc request additional information that the NDIU is required to submit when possible. National Focal Points of EMCDDA Member States have complete access to stored data and search system in order to obtain information and data collected through standardized reporting mechanisms.