1. NDPHS EXPERT GROUP ON ALCOHOL AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE (ASA EG)
Progress Report for 2012
NDPHS CSR Meeting, Berlin, October 30

2. The impact in the ND countries on society and individuals of hazardous and harmful use of alcohol and illicit drugs is reduced. Goal 7
ADPY TG Coordinator Marisa da Silva has been replaced by Mia Sundelin
Project “Setting the Scene – Indicators for Alcohol and Drug Prevention Policy” was developed by the ADPY TG and submitted, through the NDPHS Project Pipeline, to the Norwegian Ministry of Health and Care Services for funding. The project involves five project partners of which the Federal Research Institute for Health Care Organization and Information of the Ministry of Health and Social Development is the project leader. This project has been granted EUR 100,182 by the Norwegian Ministry of Health and Care Services and the implementation activities have started in October 2012.

3. The impact in the ND countries on society and individuals of hazardous and harmful use of alcohol and illicit drugs is reduced. Goal 7
Project “Alcohol and Drug Prevention among Youth (ADPY); situation analysis for evidence based policies.” The project proposal was developed by the NDPHS Secretariat together with a ADPY TG team and a PPHS EG team. The implementation of the project started on 1 October 2012

4. Goal 7
National Research Centre on Addiction, Ministry of Public Health of the Russian Federation in close cooperation with the ASA EG developed report on perspective on regional and country consumption of alcohol and policy responses in NDPHS Partner Countries. - financed by the EUSBSR Technical Assistance Grant.
Report presents overview on ND regional and country consumption of alcohol, health consequences and policy responses in partner countries. It represents a continuing effort by the ASA EG to support partner countries in collecting information in order to assist them in their efforts to reduce the harmful use of alcohol, and its health and social consequences

5. Goal 9: Tobacco use and exposure to tobacco smoke is prevented and reduced in the ND area
Project proposal on alcohol and tobacco related harm and the policy response in the Northern Dimension region was developed. A project concept submitted through the NDPHS Secretariat for funding to the European Commission
The ASA EG established a special sub-working group to review selected Alcohol policies and to provide recommendations to the NDPHS PAC meeting on priorities for future policy and research development directed towards the reduction of the harmful consumption of alcohol.
To organize Conference to share Framework Convention on Tobacco (FCTC) experience with policymakers in Alcohol Field
National Institute for Health Development ( Estonia), National Research Centre on Addiction ( Russian Federation) and The Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (Latvia)

6. Goal 7: The impact in the ND countries on society and individuals of hazardous and harmful use of alcohol and illicit drugs is reduced Goal 8: Pricing, access to and advertising of alcoholic beverages is changed to direction, which supports the reduction of hazardous and harmful use of alcohol  
Project proposal developed on Standardized Measurement  of Alcohol Related Troubles  (SMART) survey (the activity also contributes to implementing NDPHS Goals 7 and 8).
Project will assist to assess standardized approaches in the context of ND area and to establish common understanding and common picture, on alcohol use and patterns of drinking, within the ND area. It will contribute to further development of standardized comparative surveys methodology on alcohol consumption, including heavy drinking, binge drinking (episodic heavy drinking),drunkenness, context of drinking, alcohol dependence, harm to others, unrecorded alcohol supply, as well as public support for alcohol policy measures
The Institute of Psychiatry and Neurology (Poland) and The Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (Latvia)
No funding sources have been identified yet.

7. Objectives of the research.
International Collaborative Research Project on Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) - continuation
Objectives of the research.
Objective 1: To estimate the prevalence of fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) and fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) by determining the prevalence of FAS/FASD among children (7-9 years of age) using an active case ascertainment approach.
Objective 2: To determine the prevalence of fetal alcohol exposure using maternal drinking data and/or biomarkers of prenatal alcohol exposure. And to estimate the incidence of FASD from the data on prevalence of fetal alcohol exposure.
1) A detailed report on the prevalence and incidence of FASD in the study sites; 2) A report focusing on the methodology for FASD identification in settings with different levels of resources and the methods for estimating prevalence and incidence.
Estimates of the prevalence/incidence of FASD in Russian Federation are vital for promoting early identification of FASD and provision of prevention and care interventions. Also, prevalence estimates of FASD are critical for informing policymakers and service providers about the public health relevance of FASD and its impact on population' health. Moreover, accurate estimates are necessary to generate policy and program support for services required by those affected by FASD.

8. Goal 1: The role and working methods of the NDPHS are strengthened
Discussion and comments on Estonian “Green Paper” on Alcohol
Discussion and recommendations for Alcohol Policy measures in Russian Federation and Lithuania
Presentation of the work of ASA EG at the Global Alcohol Policy Alliance meeting in Bangkok
Strengthening of Collaboration with WHO Euro and NordAN
Collaboration with Other International Organizations – BEAC meeting next week