National Drugs Information System


National Drugs Information System (NDIS) represents a complex mechanism for monitoring the drugs problem, especially health and social consequences of drug abuse in the Republic of Croatia. The work of the NDIS involves gathering and analysing information related to the five key epidemiological and other indicators of the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA) for their comparability at European level, but at the same time developing an information system according to the needs, interests and specificities of the Republic of Croatia.

The EMCDDA’s five key epidemiological indicators are the following:
  1. Prevalence and patterns of drug use among the general population (population surveys)
  2. Prevalence and patterns of problem drug use (statistical prevalence / incidence estimates and research among drug addicts)
  3. Drug-related infectious diseases (prevalence and incidence of HIV, hepatitis B and C among intravenous drug users)
  4. Drug-related deaths and mortality among drug users (general mortality registries, special mortality registries, cohort studies among drug users)
  5. Treatment demand (number and characteristics of clients referred to drug treatment facilities)
The development of the NDIS as a basic system for monitoring drug situation and trends is realized through the National Drugs Action Plan on Drug Information System for the set time period (NAPDIS). The NAPDIS’s baseline is the National Strategy on Combating Drugs Abuse in the Republic of Croatia 2006-2012, the Action Plan on Combating Drugs Abuse in the Republic of Croatia 2010-2011 and the Protocol on National Drugs Information System in the Republic of Croatia. Final information collected and produced within the NDIS is used regularly for the evaluation of needs and creation of prevention and treatment measures harm reduction programs, monitoring and prevention of crime related to drug abuse and general policies to combat the overall problem drug use at national and local level.

The overall objective of the National Drugs Information System is to provide EU and EMCDDA Member States with objective, reliable and comparable information on drugs and drug addiction and their impact on society.

Specific objectives:
  • Produce and deliver on time National report, standard tables and structured questionnaires to the EMCDDA;
  • Consolidate and improve mechanisms for collecting data on key epidemiological and other indicators and provide regular progress reports;
  • Ensure efficient and transparent financial and administrative implementation of contracts (grant agreements) relating to the Member States of the European Union;
  • Update electronic applications on a regular basis, especially the EDDRA database and the REITOX Extranet;
  • Apply and develop the National Early Warning System, in accordance with the relevant decision of the Council of the European Union and the Protocol on Early Warning System on New Psychoactive Substances in the Republic of Croatia;
  • Contribute to the preparation, testing and implementation of new mechanisms and tools for reporting (standard tables and structured questionnaires);
  • Develop the role of the National Drugs Information Unit in the overall process of quality assurance information and reporting;
  • Develop the role of the National Drugs Information Unit as an intermediary between the EMCDDA and national partners.
The fundamental purpose of monitoring the current situation in the field of drugs and drug addiction in the country, as well as related trends is based on analysis of collected data to define guidelines for creating national drugs policy as well as guidelines for the definition and implementation of future activities aimed at combating the drugs problem and evaluating their effectiveness.

Monitoring of epidemiological situation is carried out at different levels in order to facilitate comparison between different regions and local communities, as well as comparison with international statistics. The latter provides a wider and better understanding of the phenomenon of addiction from an overview of different perspectives. Accordingly, formal cooperation will be established with the EMCDDA as part of the process of Croatia’s accession to the European Union. The results of analysis of drug abuse may be useful to the wider professional / expert audience since various data will be available in the form of specific reports and publications. Drug abuse monitoring includes methods of drug use, availability, prevalence of problems associated with drug use / abuse, drug-related crime, involvement of society regarding the drugs problem. This will allow a wider understanding of the activities implemented with the aim of drug demand reduction.

Basic principles of the National Drugs Information System:

  • Scientifically based approach;
  • Expertise;
  • Application of standardized approaches that ensure reliable comparability over time and between regions;
  • Information openness;
  • Horizontal and vertical inter-institutional, cross-sectoral and interdisciplinary cooperation;
  • Comprehensive and flexible approach focused on solving specific scientific problems.

The main institutions involved in the National Drugs Information System


The structure of the data source, i.e. the NDIS covers all institutions that in the area of their activities deal with problems related to drugs. The smooth functioning of the entire system requires a clear coordination of the implementation of planned activities aimed at developing the existing capacities and delivering structured data to the National Drugs Information Unit (NDIU) as the central body of the system. This particularly applies to the information required for drawing up the national report and reporting to the EMCDDA.

The foundation of the National Drugs Information System in the Republic of Croatia rests on competent government bodies, public institutions and civil society organizations that in accordance with the scope of their work and legal authority collect data on the drugs situation and drug addiction.
 
The key bodies of the National Drugs Information System are:
  • National Drugs Information Unit and International Relations Department at the Office for Combating Drugs Abuse of the Government of the Republic of Croatia
  • Competent Ministries: Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Ministry of Science, Education and Sports, Ministry of Family, Veterans Affairs and Intergenerational Solidarity, Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Economy, Labour and Entrepreneurship;
  • Croatian Public Health Institute;
  • State Attorney's Office of the Republic of Croatia
  • Central Bureau of Statistics;
  • Scientific institutions including School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Faculty of Political Science, Faculty of Law, University of Zagreb, Faculty of Philosophy, University of Split, Institute for Social Research, Institute of Social Sciences "Ivo Pilar" and other institutions that are not mentioned here, and deal with the drugs problem and drug addiction;
  • Toxicology laboratories;
  • Non-governmental organizations, therapeutic communities.

Advisory Board to the National Drugs Information System


The Advisory Board to the National Drugs Information System acts as an advisory and research body that advises the NDIU on key decisions in the field of monitoring the drugs problem and consists of representatives of major partners in the country as well as other recognized experts and scientists appointed by the Croatian Government on the proposal of the Office for Combating Drugs Abuse and, as such, it affects the strategic development of the entire National Drugs Information System in Croatia. The Advisory Board meets regularly twice a year, and additionally as needed at the invitation of the National Drugs Information Unit. The Advisory Board provides expert advice on the National Action Plan on Drug Information System (NAPDIS), as well as on the National Report on the Drugs Situation and Drug Addiction in the Republic of Croatia, before their committal to a regular procedure for acceptance by the Croatian Government. At regular meetings the NDIU reports the Advisory Board on implemented and planned activities, new developments at national and European level and current problems.

Working groups


In accordance with the recommendation of the EMCDDA, Member States set up expert working groups for individual thematic areas of the NDIS, and they consist of representatives of key national bodies and institutions, non-governmental organizations and other recognized experts in the field.



In Croatia there are 7 working groups:

  1. Working group - Prevalence and patterns of problem drug use (statistical prevalence / incidence estimates and research among drug addicts)
  2. Working group - Drug-related infectious diseases (prevalence and incidence of HIV, hepatitis B and C among intravenous drug users)
  3. Working group - Drug-related deaths and mortality among drug users (general mortality registries, special mortality registries, cohort studies among drug users)
  4. Working group - Treatment demand (number and characteristics of clients referred to drug treatment facilities)
  5. Working group - Drug-related crime
  6. Working group - Drug demand reduction
  7. Working group - Early Warning System on New Psychoactive Substances in the Republic of Croatia.

 

Members of the above mentioned working groups are appointed by the Croatian Government on the proposal of the Office for Combating Drugs Abuse. Each working group meets regularly at the invitation of the National Drugs Information Unit at least two to four times a year, and additionally as needed. Working groups advise the NDIU on the overall strategy of the National Drugs Information System, methods of data collection and analysis, communication strategy and further development, discuss current issues and trends that occur in the area, propose concrete actions and measures, participate in the preparation of working documents and literature. To ensure continuity and systematic work, each working group appoints its coordinator who, in collaboration with the NDIU, directs the working group, enables progress in the development of individual indicator or thematic area through a multidisciplinary and scientific approach, monitors scientific developments and new achievements in their area, prepares, initiates and leads thematic debates at meetings, participates in expert meetings of the EMCDDA and other international bodies, sending afterwards written reports to the NDIU and briefing all the other members of the working group at regular meetings.

 

Building the system based on monitoring, information, research and evaluation of the drugs situation is a continuous process which involves the improvement of information and mechanisms for data collection, data exchange among different entities, definition and evaluation of framework and standards and conducting research, along with providing financial resources to implement the above.
 

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