Reitox National Focal Point Drug Monitoring System as a Model for Monitoring Other Addictions in Czechia

Wednesday, 23 October, 2024 - 09:00 to 18:20

Abstract

Background:
The Czech National Strategy to Prevent and Reduce the Harm Associated with Addictive Behaviour 2019-2027 integrates topics of licit and illicit drugs, together with behavioural addictions, and provides a complex framework for interventions aiming to tackle the impacts of addictive behaviour. The integration of topics into one policy is a logical, evidence-based step, reflecting the common bio-psycho-social aetiology of addictions, similarities in their impacts, and frequent co-occurrence of different addictions. To meet the need for data that may support the evaluation of integrated strategy, new approach to monitoring of addictions in Czechia was approved by the Government in July 2021. The new concept broadened the focus from illicit drugs and gambling to more complex substance-use and behavioural addictions perspective.
Methods:
The well-established EMCDDA system of key epidemiological indicators and reporting structure developed for the monitoring of use of illicit drugs and its consequences was applied to fields where no complex monitoring existed, i.e., use of tobacco and nicotine products, alcohol, misuse of prescribed psychoactive medicines, and excessive use of digital technologies. At the same time, existing surveys and reporting systems originally designed for illicit drugs were adapted to capture other addictions. Relevant data from population surveys and targeted studies, health registries and routine monitoring systems were merged with contextual data on legal frameworks and markets for different products with addictive potential.
Results:
The new package of reports is nowadays presented on annual basis to the Council of the Government for Addiction Policy Coordination: Report on Tobacco and Nicotine Products, Report on Alcohol, Report on Problematic Use of Psychoactive Medicines, Report on Illicit Drugs, Report on Gambling and Report on Digital Addictions. The structure and content of the reports is identical covering the prevalence and patterns of use, estimates of high-risk use, health consequences and social correlates of different forms of risky behaviour. With respect to different regulatory frameworks, availability and risk perceptions related to different products, the reports present a comprehensive overview of the situation in the field of addictions in Czechia. Summary Report on Addictions in the Czech Republic, providing the overview of main trends and recommendations for addiction policy, is presented annually to the Government.
Conclusion:
The application of existing drug monitoring system on the use of other substances and behavioural addictions is possible and has been well received by policy makers and key stakeholders. It provides a complex insight into the extent of addictions in Czechia. Monitoring different addictions in one conceptual framework helps to compare societal burden of different forms of addictions, prioritise policy actions, and identify topics that may have been overlooked until recently.

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