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Monitoring of Drug Trends in Australia

NCJ Number
200038
Journal
Drug and Alcohol Review Volume: 22 Issue: 1 Dated: March 2003 Pages: 61-72
Author(s)
Fiona Shand; Libby Topp; Shane Darke; Toni Makkai; Paul Griffiths
Editor(s)
John B. Saunders
Date Published
March 2003
Length
12 pages
Annotation
This article reviews the conceptual frameworks for drug information systems (DIS) and the developments in the monitoring of drug trends internationally and in Australia and describes two integrated monitoring systems: the Illicit Drug Reporting System (IDRS) and the Drug Use Monitoring Australia (DUMA) program.
Abstract
Drug information systems (DIS) and indicators provide authorities with the evidence to evaluate current strategies and plan future strategies. It is imperative that DIS provide decision makers with comprehensive, timely, and relevant information. To do this requires an integrated drug information system that draws on several data sources. The full range of DIS in Australia is presented in this article. It reviews the conceptual frameworks for DIS and developments in international systems. In addition, it reviews the range of DIS in Australia and continues with a description of two integrated monitoring systems with an early warning function: the Illicit Drug Reporting System (IDRS) and the Drug Use Monitoring Australia (DUMA) program. Both the IDRS and DUMA program play an important role in monitoring drug trends among injecting drug users and those engaged in criminal activity. The DUMA program serves to deepen the understanding of the relationship between drug use and criminal behavior, identify changes occurring in this relationship, and track changes in availability on a quarterly basis over the long term. The IDRS provides early warning of emerging drug trends in the wider population, and places them within the context of longer-term trends in the price, purity, availability, and use of illicit drugs. These sources help policymakers respond to emerging drug problems and their health, social, and economic impacts. References

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