The REITOX Experience

Lessons learned in developing a network of National Drugs Focal

Points and challenges for the future

Alan Lodwick, Head of UK National Focal Point and Reitox Spokesperson

Viktor Mravcik, Head of Czech National Focal Point

The REITOX Network

The European Information Network on Drugs and Drug Addiction

1993 EMCDDA Regulation : referred to REITOX as a “computer network” linking specialised centres

2006 EMCDDA Regulation: a network of Focal Points with well defined responsibilities

Focal Points are the “interface” between participating countries and the Centre

Réseau Européen d’Information sur les Drogues et les Toxicomanies

National Focal Point Responsibilities(as set out in the 2006 Regulation)

Contribute to the establishment of key indicators and data including guidelines

Co-operate with experts and organisations active in the drugs field

Bring together experience from different sectors Collect and analyse all relevant information in an

objective manner at national level Include information on policies and solutions applied Provide data for the 5 Epidemiological Indicators

1993:12 Member States

2009:27 Member StatesNorway,Croatia,Turkey

The Reitox Network Now 30 National Focal Points, an EC Focal Point

and Co-ordination at EMCDDA About 130 full-time equivalent staff in NFPs Diverse national arrangements for NFPs

reflecting differing national contexts size government and administrative structures existing information systems & research tradition culture, history and nature of drugs problem national demands for information

A “network of networks” Co-operation and support between NFPs

National Focal Point Key Relationships

National Focal Points

EMCDDA (and EU)5KIs, Information on Policies and Interventions, EU Action Plan

National Government - Policies and interventions- Administration and funding

National ScientificCommunity-National experts-Academic institutions

Specialist Agenciese.g. public health,statistics

Sub-nationalAdministrationsDevolved responsibilities

LocalAgencies

Parentinstitution

National Focal Point Tasks

Delivering an Annual Reporting Package: Standard Tables Structured Questionnaires Annual Report

Promoting the implementation of the 5 Key Epidemiological Indicators

EDDRA / “Best Practice” project

Early Warning System on New Psychoactive Substances

Dissemination of EMCDDA Outputs

Within a formal annual agreement and a clear quality framework

Reitox Achievements Delivering the Annual Reporting Package Working in partnership with EMCDDA to set out

agreed work programmes, reporting structures & instruments and quality standards

Providing added value at national level Central to monitoring of the EU Action Plan

“.. A key role in helping the EMCDDA to fulfil its mission, both in collecting information on the drugs situation in Europe and in helping to disseminate the EMCDDA’s scientific outputs”

external evaluation of the EMCDDA - December 2007

Reitox Challenges Maintaining support and co-operation at national

level Encouraging collection of standardised data while

recognising national needs and differences Adapting to changing requirements and new

phenomena within limited resources Improving and rationalising outputs published Improving and demonstrating the quality of

information provided Reitox enlargement and international cooperation

The Czech Reitox NFP – An Example of the Interaction Between National and European Drug Information Systems

Czech NFP – Background

Czech Drug Policy Strategy since 1993 (fourth one in 2005-2009)

Candidate country since 1996 EMCDDA technical assistance projects Phare twinning (Austria plus other EU experts)

Cooperation with Reitox and EMCDDA started already before the Czech NFP was established ESPAD, TDI register since 1995 DRDs Special Register since 1998 PDU estimates since 1999 But historical (treatment) data on illegal drugs since 1959

EU member state since 2004 – full inclusion into Reitox and EMCDDA structures and reporting life

Czech NFP and DIS – Structure

Czech National Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction – Reitox NFP

Established by the Government in June 2002 within the secretariat of the Government Council for Drug Policy Coordination

Fully operational since January 2003 7-7.5 staff members National Action Plan for Drug Information

System - biannual 7 permanent task groups (5 on KI, law-

enforcement data, EWS), other ad hoc groups Advisory Board for Drug Data Collection

Czech NFP – Tasks Reflects EMCDDA tasks at the EU level Situation analysis

hard core – 5 harmonised KIs other (core) data

Responses, policies, strategies Other special projects (EDDRA/Best Practice,

ELDD,EWS) Information Dissemination

Annual Reports Bimonthly fact-sheet „Zaostřeno na drogy“ Other publications www.drogy-info.cz (www.focalpoint.cz)

Not only coordination function, but also data production

Impact of Reitox Membership on the Czech NFP and DIS

Adoption of grounded and novel scientific methods, approaches, and know-how

Quality and standardisation of data collection and analysis

Quality assurance of information outputs Development of national Drug Information System Easy and fast information exchange within Reitox

network Participation in European/international projects Strengthening of scientific/expert „semi-independence“ of

NFP and DIS Dissemination of EMCDDA and Reitox standards to the

third countries (potential EU candidates and others)

Summary of Cooperation within Reitox

A lot of work and duties Both methodological/scientific and technical/administrative

But mutually (mostly) beneficial and appreciated Allowing common and concentrated actions towards

new phenomena and challenges Increasing common understanding of complex drug

phenomenon within Reitox members (e.g. convergence of terminology)

Very often interesting and inspiring (new methods, tools, approaches, projects)

Based on formal framework but realised in a way of informal interpersonal relations and communication

Reitox Lessons Learnt True Partnership is key System must have the means to evolve in a

controlled way Need for agreed guidelines and standards

with incentives to comply But system needs to allow flexibility about the

way that objectives are achieved Recognise the need for networks within the

network Must serve European but also national needs

and give added value to both levels

Thanks☺

alan.lodwick@dh.gsi.gov.uk mravcik.viktor@vlada.cz

www.emcdda.europa.eu/about/partners/reitox-network www.ukfocalpoint.org

www.drogy-info.cz (www.focalpoint.cz)