Download NFP DIS - European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug

The REITOX network
EMCDDA’s National Focal Points and
their challenges for the future
Alan Lodwick, Viktor Mravcik, Tim Pfeiffer-Gerschel
The REITOX Network
Réseau Européen d’Information sur les Drogues et
les Toxicomanies
 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
 Since many years: Focal Points are the “interface”
between participating countries and the Centre
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
The Reitox Network today
 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
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

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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
EMCDDA (and EU)
5KIs, Information on Policies and
Interventions, EU Action Plan
National Government
- Policies and interventions
- Administration and funding
National Focal
Points
Parent
institution
Sub-national
Administrations
National Scientific
Community
-National experts
-Academic institutions
Specialist Agencies
e.g. public health,
statistics
Devolved responsibilities
Local
Agencies
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
 “Ad hoc” duties (proof-reading, working groups…)
 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
Summary of Cooperation within Reitox
 A lot of work and duties (methodological/scientific and
technical/administrative)
 Mostly beneficial and appreciated
 Allowing common and concentrated actions towards
new phenomena and challenges
 Increasing common understanding of the drug
phenomenon (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 the 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
Reitox’ link to EMCDDA’s SC
„…This Committee advises and assists the Management
Board and the Director…“*)
 No structural link nor systematic exchange
 Primarily: Resource for EMCDDA
„…The Scientific Committee is requested […] to give a formal
opinion on the three-year/annual work programmes…“*)
 But: SC recommendations may have an impact on NFP
 Advisors for national reporting?
 Resource for NFP on request?
*) http://www.emcdda.europa.eu/html.cfm/index6819EN.html
Thank you very much!
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[email protected]
[email protected]
pfeiffer—[email protected]
www.emcdda.europa.eu/about/partners/reitox-network
www.ukfocalpoint.org
www.drogy-info.cz (www.focalpoint.cz)
www.dbdd.de