Epidemiological key indicators

In order to observe the epidemiological situation in Europe and make comparative analyses the available data on drugs have to be harmonised. For this reason the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA) defined the following five key indicators, whose implementation is expected to result in an improved and comparable data base:

• Surveys of drug use in the general population

• Prevalence estimates of problem drug use

• Drug treatment demand

• Infectious diseases in drug users

• Drug-related deaths and mortality

Guidelines and standards for the individual key indicators were drawn up by international groups of experts. The REITOX Focal Point assists in the implementation and adaptation of these standards at the national level and informs the EMCDDA of problems or suggestions for amendments. Consequently working groups of experts in this fields have also been established in Austria. The experts meet regulary to deliberate and discuss activities aimed at implementation at the Austrian level. In addition, 9link9http://www.oebig.org/index.php?cccpage=arbeitsbereiche_detail1&set_z_arbeitsbereiche_ebene2=152&set_z_arbeitsbereiche_ebene3=9999 target='_blank'>projects at the national  level aimed at advancing the monitoring system are carried out. This includes activities to expand the existing data pool and also measures to improve data quality in the existing sources.

Contact: Mr. Martin Busch, busch(at)goeg.at