Chapter 3 Measuring the ‘World Drug Problem’: 2019 and Beyond

Abstract

This chapter analyses major issues surrounding the Annual Report Questionnaire (ARQ)-the key mechanism through which the UN collects data on various facets of the world's illicit drug market. As the ARQ is currently under review by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), the authors suggest ways to incorporate the gains made at the United Nations General Assembly Special Session on the World Drug Problem (UNGASS). The UNGASS Outcome Document has, to certain degree, enabled the international community to move away from the simplistic goals of a drug-free world enshrined in the 2009 Political Declaration and towards a more comprehensive health-and human rights-based approach. The UNGASS has also laid important groundwork for the 2019 Ministerial Segment, where member states will delineate the global drug control approach for the next decade. In this context, the issue of metrics and indicators has a critical political role to play as it will shape how member states will measure progress against their international drug control commitments. Starting with a review of the 'triple trouble'-poor data quality, low response rates from Member States and other inconsistencies that have long persisted with the ARQ-the chapter moves on to offer substantive critiques on the content of the Questionnaire and ways to better incorporate issues related to health, human rights and development. The chapter concludes by providing guidance on possible synergies with the Outcome Document and the Sustainable Development Goals, bringing international drug control in line with the UN Charter.

Application of the Mahalanobis-Taguchi System in Renal Profile of the Methadone Flexi Dispensing Program

“…Drug addiction remains one of the big psychological, legal, and public health issues of the globalized era. About 35 million people are estimated to suffer from substance use problems and need recovery facilities [1]. According to a statistic study published by the National Drug Information System (BIONADI), 8613 former drug users relapsed in 2009.…”

“…Patients under the MFlex program in Bandar Pekan clinic located at Pekan Pahang, Malaysia, must do blood tests such as renal profile involving 34 parameters to determine whether the patient has other diseases or vice versa. 1 Faculty of Manufacturing and Mechatronic Engineering Technology, Universiti Malaysia Pahang, 26600 Pekan Pahang, Malaysia. Email: areena5582@gmail.com * Corresponding author A doctor is required to assess one parameter, such as creatinine, to ensure the patient has kidney failure.…”

The role of spirituality and religiosity in psychoactive substance use among adolescents in a Nigerian Hospital

“…minds (2). Authors have suggested that adolescence is a critical risk period for the initiation of substance use with an expected peak between the ages of 18 to 25 (3)(4)(5). All through this phase, adolescents have a strong predisposition to trialing, curiosity, and susceptibility to peer pressure, rebellion against authority, and poor self-worth, which makes such individuals vulnerable to drug abuse (6).…”