NCJ Number
216472
Journal
Drug and Alcohol Review Volume: 25 Issue: 5 Dated: September 2006 Pages: 445-449
Date Published
September 2006
Length
5 pages
Annotation
This article considers the methodological challenges of developing standardized drug trend monitoring systems in Australia.
Abstract
Trends in ecstasy and related drug (ERD) markets in Australia have been monitored since 2000 by the Party Drugs Initiative (PDI), which interviews regular ecstasy users (REU) and key experts who have regular contact with REU. There are no other ERD monitoring systems in place in Australia. Difficulties with conducting research on ERD trends have constrained the usefulness of the PDI. Difficulties include problems with recruiting and interviewing appropriate REU and key experts and limitations with the indicator data obtained from health and law enforcement agencies. Indeed, the authors note that one of the greatest challenges in developing a monitoring system for ERD markets in Australia has been the availability of relevant indicator data, such as hospital admission data and ERD-related arrest and conviction data. Such indicator data provides valuable complimentary evidence to the self-report data obtained from ERD users. In order to begin obtaining and analyzing this data, it is necessary to develop standardized and enhanced data collection procedures across agencies and jurisdictions. Consensus must be reached on how drug and related matters should be classified and recorded. Until improvements are made in the collection and standardization of drug-related data, the PDI will have to continue relying solely on data obtained from samples of ERD users and key experts. References