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Drug Trend Monitoring System (DTMS) Expression of Interest

Drug Trend Monitor System Pilot Summary Report

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Introduction

In Ireland, the collection of data on the prevalence and extent of the drugs phenomenon is organised around the EMCDDA ’s ¹ five key indicators:

1. Extent and pattern of drug use in the general population²;
2. Prevalence of problem drug use ³
3. Demand for drug treatment by drug users ⁴
4. Drug-related deaths and mortality of drug users ⁵;
5. Drug-related infectious diseases (HIV, Hepatitis C) ⁶.

The drug information systems providing these data fulfil various functions and although they produce good quality data over time, they often lack the sensitivity necessary for early identification of changes or new phenomena relating to drug and drug use. Moreover, the data these information systems provide frequently have a considerable time lag behind actual changes in the drugs field. It is therefore, necessary to develop methods and means within the existing drug information systems for an early information function of emerging drug trends. This would allow for a better understanding of certain drug-related phenomena and facilitate timely decision-making at the policy-maker, professional and individual level.

Timeliness of data

The early identification of new drugs consumptions patterns, and/or emerging trends in drug use, availability, types of users and methods of consumption are essential in order to allow more time to assess the likely impact of such changes and therefore, to facilitate the earlier development of appropriate responses. Access to up-to-date information on changing patterns of drug use/availability is an ongoing challenge. New trends tend to start in a number of small geographical locations, and consequently may be missed unless the data provided by drug information systems allows for analysis at different operational levels (i.e. local, city and/or regional levels). Moreover, information is often trapped, in so far as it’s available (i.e. at an individuals, service, and/or local level) but not utilised to draw conclusions about changes in patterns of drug consumptions. A coordinated approach to monitoring the use and availability of drugs is therefore needed to ensure access to timely relevant data.

Why a DTMS

The Programme for Government calls for an early warning system to track the spread of heroin. In addition there have been developments at EU level relating to the monitoring of emerging drug trends. In response to this, the National Advisory Committee on Drugs (NACD) has identified that a system which can monitor at least twice yearly, changing patterns of drug use and availability at a national, regional and local level is essential so that all stakeholders can initiate early responses to potential new drug phenomena. The aim of this system would be twofold:

• To identify the spread of heroin into new areas at a more local level and;
• To provide information on changing patterns of drug use/availability (in term of new drugs, new patterns of use and new drug users) by collecting information from a range of sources and expanding these sources as the system develops.

The true value of such an information system lies not in presenting a snapshot of one year, but in the establishment of baselines against which to compare future data and the monitoring of changes over time. The proposed DTMS would also operate as a strategic early warning system, and would provide reliable and timely information on which policy decisions must ultimately rest.

It is envisaged that there would be five operational levels to the DTMS

1. Data collection (including collecting, describing and storing all relevant data);
2. Identification (including triangulating any relevant data from among all the data collected in order to assist in the identification of an emerging drug phenomena);
3. Assessment ( standard and/or specific assessment of the quality of the data i.e. reliability and validity of the information, and the potential spread of the phenomena);
4. Dissemination: (selection and realisation of a strategy for dissemination and identification of the various target audiences) and;
5. Follow-up/feedback (including continuing with the observation of the phenomena by collecting more data, and providing feed-back to all partners involved in the DTMS).

Pilot DTMS

The proposal to implement a Drug Trend Monitoring System (DTMS) is based on an evaluation of EU developments but more particularly on the results of a Pilot DTMS conducted by the NACD between June 2004 & March 2005.

The three key data collection components of the pilot were:

1. A network of trend monitors (TMs) consisting of frontline workers throughout the country covering all RDTF areas who completed a short questionnaire on the drug situation in their area.
2. A series of Drug User Focus Groups convened to identify and assess emerging drug trends. These focus groups aim to include drug users not attending services.
3. A media monitoring system which collated data reported in the media on drug seizures, drug related court cases and local drug issues throughout the country.

The pilot study demonstrated that the DTMS can assist with the early identification of emerging drug phenomena; can isolate changes in patterns of drug use and availability; can provide a baseline against which drug trends can be monitored over time; and can provide locally relevant information to assist with policy-making decision. However, it was concluded that the media monitoring component of the pilot study was the least effective data collection method. It was resource intensive and yielded data that was highly skewed by media coverage at a local/regional level. It was decided that this aspect of the DTMS would not be replicated. A summary report is available on the NACD website.

An integrated system

The overall aim of the DTMS is to establish an Integrated Drug Information System. Such a system would require information to be gathered as an ongoing process, whereby data from different sources are triangulated and evaluated. Crucial to this process is an ongoing dialogue between information producers (those responsible for data compilation) and consumer (those who require the data for informing action). The Pilot DTMS system would need to be reviewed, developed and expanded accordingly to include data from new sources (e.g. A&E departments, ambulances, courts etc).

Commission

The NACD is seeking expressions of interest from interested parties/organisations/institutions in implementing a DTMS based on the model developed with scope to develop and expand the system.

The NACD reserve the right not to proceed to a ‘Request for Tender’ stage or to award of a contract.

Potential contractors should demonstrate in their letter of interest that they have:

• Capacity to prepare interview programme immediately on award of contract;
• Capacity to engage in dialogue with information producers and information consumers;
• Capacity to carry out pen and paper or Computer-assisted Personal Interviewing (CAPI) at a national level;
• Ability to prepare, clean, validate and analyse very large SPSS data files and demonstrate familiarity with SPSS software;
• Ability to use software for qualitative analysis such as NUDIST;
• Sufficient intellectual capacity with adequate and suitably qualified staff to successfully undertake the project and adequate senior supervision of up to 25% of time;
• Have a track record in this field (large scale health/social based research projects);
• Have high level of quality control and quality assurance to research standards, including stringent fieldwork management procedures (please enclose a description) and provide examples (2 copies) of previous relevant work.

Research Advisory Group

Should the NACD proceed to a ‘Request for Tender’ stage and should a contract be awarded a Research Advisory Group comprising representatives from the NACD would be appointed to oversee the project; the contractor would work closely with the Research Advisory Group. The Research Advisory Group would expect to have some involvement when fieldworkers are briefed on their tasks and during the pilot-testing phase. Progress reports would have to be provided to the Research Advisory Group at various stages of the project during the early implementation phase pre and post pilot, post interviewer/focus group facilitator briefings and every four weeks of the fieldwork phase confirming that the project is on track. A successful bidder would be expected to flag any potential difficulties or problems early to the Research Advisory Group so that a quick resolution can be achieved.

Technical Report

Should the NACD proceed to a ‘Request for Tender’ stage and should a contract be awarded a successful bidder would be required to provide a detailed technical report to the Research Advisory Group on completion of the fieldwork, analysis and each final report provided to the NACD. Syntax for check programmes would have to be provided to the Research Advisory Group. These controls would have to be applied to the data when it is in SPSS and not in some other software database to eliminate the risk of missing errors. The Research Advisory Group would also carry out cross checks on the data when it is provided in SPSS. A separate complete financial report for the project on completion of each year would also be required before full payment would be made to a successful contractor.

Main financing conditions and payment arrangements and/or reference to the relevant provisions regulating them:

Should a tender be awarded payment would be made in instalments and linked to output, progress and satisfaction of the NACD.

Economic and financial capacity:
Have adequate financial standing for the lifetime of the system and send 2 copies of recent financial accounts and annual report.

Legal form
Must be viable corporate entity with legal representation in Ireland as the contract will be governed by Irish law.

Should a tender be awarded, the Contract would give complete ownership of all data (including electronic and manual files) to the NACD and would provide for the return of the data by electronic form in SPSS “.sav” format, where appropriate, to the NACD. Contractors would be expected to comply with the DATA Protection Act 1988 (as amended) and with the European Communities (Data Protection) Regulations 2001. The contract would be governed by the laws of Ireland. Under the terms of appointment, subcontracting of the services would not be permitted.

Tenders will be assessed against the above criteria and under the following headings: research methodology, understanding of the project and work involved, project management, ability to meet deadlines, track record, credibility and finally description, justification and best use of resources. The most economically competitive bid will not necessarily be accepted.

The NACD reserves the right not to accept any or all submissions at this expression of interest stage.

5 copies of the expression of interest should be sent to the NACD offices together with 2 copies of recent financial accounts, example of previous relevant work (2 copies) and include a short CV of those leading and managing this study no later than 15.00 Tuesday 27th February 2007.

Download contract for research (Word Document 187KB)

Download Declaration under the Freedom of Information Act

1. European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction
2. NACD/DAIRU All Ireland Drug Prevalence Survey
3. NACD Capture Recapture Study of Problem Opiate Use by Kelly, Teljeur and Carvalho
4. DMRD National Drug Treatment Reporting System
5. DMRD Drug Related Deaths Index and formerly CSO responsibility
6. Health Protection Surveillance Centre

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