Meeting of the National Drug Observatories in the Caribbean
Meeting of the National Drug Observatories in the Caribbean. DRUG CONSUMPTION SITUATION IN THE CARIBBEAN. Pernell Clarke Coordinator of Information and Research for the Caribbean OID/CICAD Barbados, June 14 – 16, 2005. Summary. The Caribbean and Drugs Supply Statistics
Meeting of the National Drug Observatories in the Caribbean
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Presentation Transcript
Meeting of the National Drug Observatories in the Caribbean DRUG CONSUMPTION SITUATION IN THE CARIBBEAN Pernell Clarke Coordinator of Information and Research for the Caribbean OID/CICAD Barbados, June 14 – 16, 2005
Summary • The Caribbean and Drugs • Supply Statistics • Consumption Statistics (School Surveys) • Emerging Trends • Discussion
Supply Statistics • The region continues to be an important trans-shipment area because of geography • Highest volume: Marijuana • The supply of cocaine from South American producers is declining • Designer drugs amphetamines, ecstasy etc are increasingly being trafficked
Supply Statistics • Sources include: • Police Depts. • Prosecutors • Customs • Coast Guard • National Drug Observatories • Data may include: • Production of illicit crops (land area under cultivation) • Drug Seizures (quantities in lbs, kgs.) • Seizures of chemical precursors (types and quantities) • Labs Discovered • Persons arrested for drug crimes
Consumption Statistics • General Population Surveys • School Surveys • Treatment Centres • Emergency Rooms • Prisoners • Street Children • Key Informants
Current world situation Source: UNODC 2004 Report OID-CICAD / OAS
Other Variables • Frequency of use • Mode of Use • Demographic • Family background, living conditions, social status • KAPB • Deviance (besides drug use), school performance, etc
Trend Data….the next frontier • Assessing changes in drug use (types of drugs, direction of change, rate of change) • Assessing the changes in Users (age of first use, frequency of use, reasons for use, characteristics of users) • Determining risk factors (Are they the same? Are there new ones? Is the order of importance changing?) • Evaluation (Impact of interventions, treatment, supply reduction etc)* *Must be carefully done. The use of a control group will usually present a better scientific evaluation, but this is not always feasible.
USA School Survey:Last year Prevalences of any drug by grade
Recap • Supply: Marijuana, cocaine, designer drugs • Supply statistics are available from many sources. Need to screen for quality and consistency • Demand: Alcohol, marijuana, cocaine, ecstasy?? • Consumption surveys (secondary schools) need to be done at least every two years if we are to scientifically identify trends.