The impact of treatment demand data on policy and practice Hamish Sinclair & Jean Long Drug Misuse Research Division Health Research Board Ireland Richard Muscat National Drug Commission Ministry of Social Policy Malta Jacek Sekiewicz Therapy Centre for Drug Addiction Poland

ResearchPolicyPractice Dynamic Model

Pompidou Group Policy & Practice Research Work Programme

Research Platform Objectives Signal developments in the use of data and research in policy and practice Identify priorities and needs and develop strategies for research

Focus of the Pompidou Group in the area of treatment demand overtime Data collection Data analysis & interpretation Use of data for policy & practice

The value of treatment demand data 1. Direct indicator of demand on services 2. Indirect indicator of drug misuse trends 3. Basis for more detailed studies Pompidou Group Definitive Protocol (1994) pages 5-6

Review how treatment demand (TD) data have been used to help influence policy and practice. Project Objectives Identify examples (case studies) of where TD data have been used to help develop evidence-based policies and practices. Develop a process whereby policy-makers, practitioners and researchers can make better use, in the future, of TD data to help develop evidence-based policies and practices

Have TD data been used in the past to help influence policy formulation and practice development? If yes, Research Questions Is there documentary evidence to establish the link between the use of TD data and the subsequent formulation of policy and/or practice development? If yes,

Based on the documentary evidence, can case studies be written up which clearly describe how TD data were used and how they impacted on policy formulation and/or practice development? Research Questions Can common themes be found in these case studies to inform the future use of TD data to help develop evidence-based policies and practices?

Working Method Combination of techniques: literature review; consultations with key experts; develop case histories; and identify the policy uses of TD data. It is proposed to use of existing networks of treatment demand experts to assist in this process, namely: PG EMCDDA’s Reitox (Focal Point) network.

Example Case Study The use of treatment demand data in the establishment of Local Drugs Task Forces in Dublin, Ireland

Research PolicyPractice

Dublin Treatment Reporting System (1990) Annual treatment demand reports Provide ongoing information to facilitate the understanding of the epidemiology of treated drug misuse and to provide data useful to policy makers on the health care and social implications of drug misuse. ResearchPolicyPractice

Ministerial Task Force (1996) Review the present measures to reduce the demand for drugs and, in the light of that review, recommend any changes in policy, legislation or practice to facilitate more effective reduction strategies. ResearchPolicyPractice

ResearchPolicyPractice To provide a strategic, locally-based, integrated response in the areas where the drug problem is most severe. Local Drugs Task Forces (1997)

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