ORGANIZATION OF AMERICAN STATES INTER-AMERICAN DRUG ABUSE CONTROL COMMISSION FIRST INTER-REGIONAL FORUM OF EU-LAC CITIES: PUBLIC POLICIES IN DRUG TREATMENT April 2 5, 2008 OEA/Ser.L/XIV.4 CICAD/EULAC/doc.39pp/08 2 April 2008 Original: English MULTILATERAL EVALUATION MECHANISM (MEM) Sofía Kosmas Specialist CICAD/OAS GENERAL SECRETARIAT OF THE ORGANIZATION OF AMERICAN STATES, WASHINGTON, D.C. 20006
Multilateral Evaluation Mechanism (MEM) Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic April 2-5, 2 2008
Inter-American Drug Abuse Control Commission (CICAD) 1986 Advisory body of the OAS CICAD Executive Secretariat Institutional Strengthening Inter-American Drug Observatory (OID) Supply Reduction and Control (Production, Development Programs, Chemicals, Pharmaceuticals, Illicit Drug Trafficking) Anti-Money Laundering Multilateral Evaluation Mechanism (MEM) Demand Reduction (Prevention, Education, Treatment, Reintegration) Research and Educational Development
What does the MEM do? Established in 1998 Result of a mandate from the Summit of the Americas / Heads of State and Government of the OAS. Tool to measure progress of the 34 OAS member states in combating the drug problem and related crimes. Identifies strengths and weaknesses. Designed by the 34 member states for the benefit of those 34 states. All countries evaluate and are evaluated. Sanctions are not imposed. Adapts to the constantly evolving challenges of the drug problem in the Americas. Periodic review before each round in order to improve and update the evaluative process.
What areas does the MEM evaluate? 1. Institutional Strengthening (National Plans, International Conventions and National Information Systems). 2. Demand Reduction (Prevention, Drug Treatment and Statistics on Consumption). 3. Supply Reduction (Drug Production, Development Programs related to the prevention or reduction of illicit crop cultivation, and Control of Pharmaceuticals and Chemical Substances). 4. Control Measures (Illicit Drug Trafficking, Firearms Trafficking and Money Laundering).
Who participates in the process? 1. National Coordinating Entities (NCE): compile all of the official information requested from the national institutions and sends it to CICAD for analysis and evaluation. 2. Governmental Experts Group (GEG): analyzes the information and carries out the national and hemispheric evaluations. 3. CICAD Commission: approves the reports prepared by the GEG and the changes recommended by the IWG. 4. Inter-governmental Working Group (IWG): meets prior to each round to review the MEM and presents recommendations for its improvement. 5. MEM Section: coordinates the activities of the process and provides technical support.
MEM Evaluation Structured in Rounds 1 st Round Evaluation period 1999-2000 2 nd Round Evaluation period 2001-2002 3 rd Round Evaluation period 2003-2004 4 th Round Evaluation period 2005-2006 - CURRENT 2 Evaluation Phases Complete - Current Recommendation Follow-Up Product of the Evaluation 34 national reports Progress in Drug Control 1 Hemispheric report Progress in Drug Control
The MEM, Assigned Recommendations, and Benefits to the Countries The MEM identifies: Strengths, weaknesses, progress and setbacks in combating the drug problem and related activities, and assigns recommendations in those areas that the country needs to strengthen. Recs help: Strengthen public policies / national programs Take action to correct the identified weaknesses. Generate internal support for anti-narcotics efforts. May help to create alliances between cities on topics of common interest. May facilitate the work municipalities are carrying out. Increase: - Multilateral and horizontal cooperation in the Hemisphere.
The MEM and its benefits Strengthens mutual trust, dialogue and cooperation to confront the drug problem more effectively. Permits the sharing of knowledge and best practices. Allows follow-up on individual progress. Contributes to strengthening countries capacities in combating drugs. Promotes the development of technical assistance, training programs, and exchanging experiences, obtaining alliances between countries.
The MEM and assigned recommendations DRUG ABUSE TREATMENT 12 general ideas have been recommended to OAS member states: Establish minimum drug abuse treatment standards. Implement a system to register and accredit treatment and rehabilitation centers. Establish a national register of patients in treatment centers. Develop a register of programs, services and treatment centers. Implement specialized training courses on drug abuse prevention, treatment and/or research.
The MEM and assigned recommendations DRUG ABUSE TREATMENT (cont.): Implement drug treatment programs specifically for juvenile offenders. Expand the coverage of treatment programs. Implement early detection and case referral networks. Evaluate treatment centers and the quality of services offered. Implement a system that permits evaluation of the effectiveness of existing treatment modalities. Update the register of institutions that provide early intervention, treatment, rehabilitation and reintegration services at the national level. Expand professional training for substance abuse counselors.
Sofia Irene Kosmas G. Specialist, MEM Section Inter-American Drug Abuse Control Commission (CICAD) skosmas@oas.org (202) 458 3807 Multilateral Evaluation Mechanism (MEM) http://www.cicad.oas.org/mem/esp/about.asp