TY - JOUR
T1 - The monitoring of drug trends in Australia
AU - Shand, Fiona
AU - Topp, Libby
AU - Darke, Shake
AU - Makkai, Toni
AU - Griffiths, Paul
PY - 2003/3
Y1 - 2003/3
N2 - Recently, there has been increased recognition of the importance of drug information systems (DIS), highlighting the need for an internationally coordinated approach to data collection and advocating the regular assessment of a range of areas. Accurate information provides policy makers with the evidence to evaluate current strategies and to plan future strategies. An effective drug information system (DIS) must collect comprehensive, detailed and in-depth data, while also being sensitive W emergent trends and placing these changes into the context of longer-term trends. An integrated and comprehensive system combines both sensitive (or lead) and slower but more reliable lag indicators. This article reviews conceptual frameworks for DIS and developments in international systems. It then considers the range of DIS in Australia and then describes two integrated monitoring systems with an early warning function: the Illicit Drug Reporting System (IDRS) and the Drug Use Monitoring Australia (DUMA) Programme. Both systems collate sensitive lead indicators, and provide timely information about emerging drug trends in Australia. Together, these two systems are best-placed to provide effective early warning of new trends in illicit drug markets, and constitute an important component of the overall approach to the monitoring of drug use and associated harms in Australia.
AB - Recently, there has been increased recognition of the importance of drug information systems (DIS), highlighting the need for an internationally coordinated approach to data collection and advocating the regular assessment of a range of areas. Accurate information provides policy makers with the evidence to evaluate current strategies and to plan future strategies. An effective drug information system (DIS) must collect comprehensive, detailed and in-depth data, while also being sensitive W emergent trends and placing these changes into the context of longer-term trends. An integrated and comprehensive system combines both sensitive (or lead) and slower but more reliable lag indicators. This article reviews conceptual frameworks for DIS and developments in international systems. It then considers the range of DIS in Australia and then describes two integrated monitoring systems with an early warning function: the Illicit Drug Reporting System (IDRS) and the Drug Use Monitoring Australia (DUMA) Programme. Both systems collate sensitive lead indicators, and provide timely information about emerging drug trends in Australia. Together, these two systems are best-placed to provide effective early warning of new trends in illicit drug markets, and constitute an important component of the overall approach to the monitoring of drug use and associated harms in Australia.
KW - Drug information systems
KW - Drug monitoring
KW - Drug trends
KW - Early warning systems
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=0037357503&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1080/0959523021000059848
DO - 10.1080/0959523021000059848
M3 - Article
SN - 0959-5236
VL - 22
SP - 61
EP - 72
JO - Drug and Alcohol Review
JF - Drug and Alcohol Review
IS - 1
ER -