1. Evaluation of the Hungarian National Strategy on Drugs
Collecting and interpreting data on the outcome/impact
Orsolya Varga
Reitox Academy
Lisbon - 17 June 2010

2. NATIONAL STRATEGY TO COMBAT THE DRUG PROBLEM
Conceptual framework of the Hungarian Government’s anti-drug strategy
adopted by the Government and the Parliament in 2000
96/2000 (XII.11.)Parliamental Decree (consensus)
Action Plans: 2002, 2004, 2007

3. Structure of the National Strategy
Introduction
Where are we today?
Goal
Objective
Details of the objectives (pillars)
International cooperation
Monitoring

4. 4 main objectives – Pillars: short-, medium- and long term objectives, indicators, monitoring instruments
Community, co-operation: sensitive society and improving problem solving capabilities at local level
Prevention: productive lifestyle for young people, rejecting drugs
Social work, treatment, rehabilitation: helping individuals and families having a drug related problem
Supply reduction: reduce access to drugs

5. Mid-term evaluation of the National Strategy 2000-2009
Independent, external evaluation
MATRA project - Trimbos Instituute
Co-operation with the Hungarian National Institute for Drug Prevention
Methodology: LogFrame
Hungarian experts and KEFs involved
Result: Report on the evaluation + How to strengthen
the Coordination of Drug Policy Formulation and Evaluation in Hungary

6. Final evaluation of the National Strategy 2000-2009
Ministry of Social Affairs and Labour
Coordination: National Institute for Drug Prevention
External experts: UNODC, EC, etc.
Egészségmonitor Kft. (HealthMonitor Ltd.)

7. Elements of the evaluation
Compilation of a book titled “Drug policy in figures”
Qualitative research

8. Drug policy in figures – situation between 2000-2007
The framework of the Hungarian drug policy
Researches in the drugs field
Population data in Hungary, trend and processes
Drug prevention activities
Health care related data and trends in the course of treatment of addicted persons
Harm reduction in figures
Laws and the implementation of law enforcement measures
Law enforcement data related to illegal drugs: trends in
Political initiatives related to the legal circumstance of drug use reflected in Parliamentary speeches ( )
Drugs phenomenon in the media
Public expenditure related to the drugs problem
The implementation of the National Drugs Strategy in the light of some public administration measures

9. Qualitative research - questions
Are the changes of the Hungarian drug scene in correlation with the aims of the Strategy?
Are the activities stemming from the implementation of the Strategy in connection with the changes?
Were the aims of the Strategy served appropriately by the resources and activities carried out according to the experiences and accessible professional knowledge/views?

10. Qualitative research - methods
Document analysis – National Strategy, NRs, others
Interviews with decision makers and professionals
Focus group discussion on the first results of the evaluation
Problem tree analysis

11. Document analysis – National Strategy
Short-term
Mid-term
Long-term
Total
Community- co-operation 8 7 11 26
Prevention 6 12 13 31
Treatment, rehabilitation 4 21 30 55
Supply reduction 14 41 24 54 75
153

12. Document analysis
Aims of the Strategy – Information from National Reports and other documents
fully reached (30%) – partly reached (30%) –
not fulfilled (40%)
activities in accordance with the aims – 123 identified

14. Fulfilment of aims

16. Semi-structured interviews
What kind of changes were observed during the implementation period?
Which activities were considered successful – unsuccessful?
How efficiently were the resources utilised during the implementation period?
How much the legal circumstances supported the implementation of the strategy, what kind of legal measures could have served better the successful implementation?

17. Results of the evaluation
Problem groups – 18
Success groups – 13
General and activity related suggestions
Suggestions for policy and resources

18. Evaluation of the Action Plans

19. New National Strategy
„Safer society – caring community”
Action Plan ???

20. The structure of the strategy
Over-arching motives – themes
Sustainability and efficiency
Case severity, and equity
Vulnerabilty, risk assessment and risk management
priorities
Community and cooperation
Coordination, international cooperation
Monitoring, evaluation and research
Prevention, community based interventaions
Supply reduction
Treatment, care and harm reduction
pillars
© Ákos Topolánszky

21. Thank you for your attention