NCJ Number
211515
Date Published
2005
Length
72 pages
Annotation
This handbook is intended for use by community groups in planning evaluations of programs and activities designed to prevent and reduce harms caused by substance abuse.
Abstract
The evaluation process described in the handbook relies on "indicators," which are defined as various types of data pertinent to measurement of the impact of substance use in a community. Handbook users are guided through the process of planning an indicator reporting program, selecting relevant indicators and measures, collecting local data, and reporting to the target audience. The first chapter guides the user through a communitywide strategy and planning a reporting program. It advises that an indicator reporting program is a long-term endeavor. Once a program is established, it should provide regular reports to the community and the media about program operations. In addition to describing community trends in substance abuse, the report should highlight the results of program efforts to prevent and reduce drug, alcohol, and tobacco problems. The second chapter helps users to get started by selecting appropriate indicators and planning for data collection. Selecting appropriate indicators involves determining the harms from substance use that are being targeted for prevention and reduction. The indicators selected should help illustrate the problems, monitor changes, and lead to recommendations for action. The third chapter presents basic information on 27 indicators and measures related to substance use. For each indicator, the handbook presents suggested measures, where to find local data, guidelines for interpretation, and examples of how communities have displayed local information. The fourth chapter describes how to put data into a community indicator report, and the concluding chapter profiles successful indicator programs from around the country. Extensive figures