engleski

Implementation of Quality Standards in drug demand reduction – results from the FENIQS-EU project

Further ENhancing the Implementation of Quality Standards (QS) in Drug Demand Reduction (DDR) across Europe (FENIQS-EU) is a project that started in 2021 and will run until 2023. QS have been recognised as an important tool for improving the quality of DDR interventions and bridging the gap between science and practice. The purpose of this study was to describe the situation in QS implementation in DDR interventions as well as to identify barriers, needs, and challenges in implementing QS across Europe. An online survey (n=91) and follow-up interviews (n=26) with key informants - drug demand reduction experts - were conducted between June and November 2021. The results showed that the implementation of QS differed across the DDR areas. In the area of prevention, most countries implemented the European Drug Prevention Quality Standards, followed by the Minimum Quality Standards (MQS). In the treatment area, most experts recognised the implementation of the Standards and Goals of Therapeutic Communities and EQUS minimum quality standards, while harm reduction experts reported MQS implementation, but to a lesser extent compared to the other two areas. Thematic analysis resulted with three themes: Needs (mandatory QS ; resources ; support ; monitoring and evaluation), challenges and barriers (lack of funding ; unrecognised importance of evaluation ; competencies ; system fragmentation), and supporting factors (materials and training ; support and network). Findings revealed that QS are not consistently implemented across DDR areas. Steps that could enhance QS implementation should focus on advocating for the need of QS implementation, ensuring sustainable funding, and training for the workforce.

Quality standards ; Implementation ; Drug demand reduction ; Europe

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