1. Presenter: Beverly Reynolds, DPM, Health Sector Development
Towards a Regional Demand Reduction Strategy:The Role of Research in Assessing the Problem and Evaluating the Progress
Presenter: Beverly Reynolds, DPM, Health Sector Development
CARICOM Secretariat
9/17/2018

2. Objectives Why Conduct Research?
Why a Regional Demand Reduction Strategy?
How well are we Doing?
To offer some possible Solutions for moving from Lab to Life
Identify New Frontiers for Research
CARICOM Secretariat
9/17/2018

3. Why Research? Increase body of knowledge
Inform theory, practice and policy
Assessing the problem
Identify appropriate treatment
Improve quality of care
Influence political decisions
CARICOM Secretariat
9/17/2018

4. Why Research Monitoring and Evaluation
Goodness of fit between, and relevance of interventions to problem
Make timely changes/adjustments
Document progress
Funding
Provide Cost–effective options
Maximize use of scarce resources
CARICOM Secretariat
9/17/2018

5. Common Features and Concerns
Small Island States
Vulnerable Economies
Large, youthful population
High un/under employment
Negative impact of drugs on social and economic development
Scarce Resources
CARICOM Secretariat
9/17/2018

6. Common Goals and Objectives
Reduce/Eliminate the demand for drugs
Improved quality of life for our populations
Sustaining developmental gains made at national and regional levels
Improving goodwill and international image
Common Goals and Objectives
CARICOM Secretariat
9/17/2018

7. The Regional Strategic framework for Drug Demand Reduction
Developed in 2000
Endorsed by 7TH COHSOD in 2001
Priority Areas:
Policy Development
Prevention Education
Treatment & Rehabilitation
Research/Surveillance
Management and Coordination
CARICOM Secretariat
9/17/2018

8. How Well Are We Doing?
Do we have a body of knowledge on demand issues that is specific to the Region?
Are we operating within a theoretical framework?
Do we conduct cost benefit analysis for programmes?
Do we evaluate effect of interventions?
Are our programmes targeted?
Are we conducting research to improve standards and quality of of care?
The extent to which we can answer these questions determine how well we are doing
CARICOM Secretariat
9/17/2018

9. Challenges Lack of human and financial resources
Externally-driven drug reduction agenda
Inadequate/lack of institutional framework to coordinate and implement strategy
Cultural Perception and Practices
CARICOM Secretariat
9/17/2018

10. Challenges Nature of the subject
Data collection and management systems
Political Support
Linking Policy to Research – Lab to Life
CARICOM Secretariat
9/17/2018

11. Moving From Lab to Life Strengthen Partnerships
Engage Political directorate
Review Roles and definitions of players
Integrated Policy framework/guidelines
Adopting a public health approach for substance abuse
Innovations in Research
CARICOM Secretariat
9/17/2018

12. Moving From Lab to Life
Establishment of Regional Body to coordinate and monitor implementation of Strategy
Sharing Best Practices
Technical Co-operation
Maximizing comparative advantage of donor partners
Capacity-building
CARICOM Secretariat
9/17/2018

13. New Frontiers for Research
HIV/AIDS and Substance Abuse
Mental Health and Substance Abuse
Economic and Social Impact
CARICOM Secretariat
9/17/2018