STRUCTURE AND FUNCTION OF THE GRENDIN, OCTOBER 2009

Drug Control SecretariatDrug Control Secretariat

STRUCTURE AND

FUNCTION OF THE GRENADA

DRUG INFORMATION NETWORK (GRENDIN)


• The Grenada Drug Information Network (GRENDIN), is the system through which Grenada coordinates the collection and dissemination of drug-related statistics information from all institutions involved in the area of drug control, or the collection of relevant statistical data (financial crimes, firearms etc).

• It was established on 11 December 2002.


HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE ON DATA COLLECTION: PRE-GRENDIN ERA


•Limited data on the period 1984 and 1988; Available data focused on seizures and arrests

• 1995: Major initiative undertaken to collect data on arrests, seizures, imprisonments, admissions to treatment centres etc, for the period 1988 to 1995.

• Very successful initiative: data was obtained.


• 1993: First research study was conducted on prevalence of drug use among students, with technical assistance provided by Caribbean Epidemiology Centre and the Caribbean Community.

• Not successful: number of technical errors with survey instrument, data entry etc.


• 1999: Approval of the Drug Abuse Epidemiological and Surveillance System Project (DAESSP) under the 8th European Development Fund.

• The specific purpose of the project was to establish a sound database and “early warning”surveillance system to assist national and regional policy makers in demand reduction.


• This led to the establishment of a regional surveillance network – Caribbean Drug Information Network (CARIDIN)

• Under the DAESSP, In-Country Teams were established.


• August and September 2002: Grenada’s In-Country Team conducted a series of consultations with institutions involved in the collection of drug-related statistics.

• This assignment was undertaken through the project, “Network To Improve Recording, Exchange And Comparability Of Data Between Agencies”, which was a component of the DAESSP.


• 11 December 2002: The workshop, “Network To Improve Recording, Exchange And Comparability Of Data Between Agencies”, was convened.

• Representatives from all institutions involved in drug control attended.


Objectives:

i. Review of procedures used in the collection of drug-related statistics.

ii. Develop an action plan to improve recording, exchange and comparability of data between agencies.

iii. Develop and strengthen communication among public and private sector institutions, which collect drug-related data.


• The establishment of the Grenada Drug Information Network (GRENDIN), which would facilitate the collection, and dissemination of drug-related statistical data, was the outcome of this workshop.

• GRENDIN was endorsed by Cabinet, effective 22 December 2002.


DATA COLLECTED (INDICATORS)

• The information collected and disseminated from the institutions is in response to nine (9) Indicators which comprise the “GRENDIN Questionnaire of Indicators”

• These Indicators incorporate aspects of the Multilateral Evaluation Mechanism (MEM) Questionnaire.


• Admissions

• Drug-related Mortality

• Scope Of The Mechanisms For The Control Of The Diversion Of Pharmaceutical Products

• Seizures, Arrests, Court Cases


• Financial Crimes

• Criminal Deportees

• Firearms, Ammunition, Explosives, Other Related Materials

• Imprisonments

• Daily Crime Report


GRENDIN Indicator on Financial Crimes, 1 April to 30 June 2007

GRENDIN Indicator on Financial Crimes, 1 April to 30 June 2007


HOW GRENDIN WORKS


SCHEDULE: SCHEDULE:

INDICATORS DISSEMINATION TO DATA INDICATORS DISSEMINATION TO DATA DISSEMINATIONDISSEMINATION

GRENDIN GRENDIN ACTIVITYACTIVITY

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

RequestRequest √√ √√ √√ √√CollectCollect √√ √√ √√ √√

AnalyzeAnalyze √√ √√ √√ √√

Verify Verify analysisanalysis

√√ √√ √√ √√

PublishPublish √√ √√ √√ √√


Does GRENDIN Work?

§§ Yes.Yes.

§ Data is now available on the above-listedIndicators for the period 1 January 1988 to 30 June 2009.

§ Data is available on a quarterly, biannual and annual basis.


§ GRENDIN Fact Sheet is a new publication which began in March 2009. Produced quarterly.

§ Data is available on our webpage: www.gov.gd/ncodc.html

§ GRENDIN provides directly over 90 percent of statistics to MEM, etc.

http://www.gov.gd/ncodc.html


§ GRENDIN has enabled the various Institutions to improve their data collection mechanism.

§ Accuracy and relevance of data have improved.

§ Information is collected and made available on a timely basis.


§ Excellent working relationship with all relevant Institutions.

§ Review Meeting (April) Annual General Meeting held.

§ Partnership with St. George's University and the Windward Islands research Foundation on various projects.


• Increased ability of Grenada to provide data for local, regional and international projects, Institutions, such as the MEM, Annual Reporting Questionnaire (ARQ) of the United Nations.


CHALLENGES

§ Data is collected manually.

§ Some delays in collecting data, due to modus operandi of some institutions. However, the data is collected, despite these delays.


§ Requests for types of data from local, regional and international organizations can be varied, and it is a constant challenge to provide the types of data requested.


FUTURE PLANS

§ To develop a computerized network, among the local institutions which provide data to GRENDIN. This requires training, equipment, finances.

§ To develop new Indicators, where necessary.


§ To strengthen the capacity of the institutions to collect and collate the statistics (Training, software etc).

§ To strengthen the overall structure and functions of GRENDIN, to meet the needs of our partners.

§ Greater use of the Daily Crime Report.(eg. Analysis of students arrested and

charged)


PHOTOS OF GRENDIN AT WORK


Pernell Clarke, Specialist, CICAD, addresses GRENDIN Meeting, 18 May 2007

Pernell Clarke, Specialist, CICAD, addresses GRENDIN Meeting, 18 May 2007


Participants at GRENDIN Meeting, 18 May 2007

Participants at GRENDIN Meeting, 18 May 2007


Dianne Roberts, Consultant, addresses GRENDIN Meeting, 18 May 2007

Dianne Roberts, Consultant, addresses GRENDIN Meeting, 18 May 2007


Dr. Mary-Jeanne Kreek, Scientist., Rockfeller University, USA, , addresses GRENDIN Meeting, 21 February 2006

Dr. Mary-Jeanne Kreek, Scientist., Rockfeller University, USA, , addresses GRENDIN Meeting, 21 February 2006


Terence Walters, Officer, Drug Control Secretariat, makes a presentation on MEM, at GRENDIN Meeting, 27 July 2006

Terence Walters, Officer, Drug Control Secretariat, makes a presentation on MEM, at GRENDIN Meeting, 27 July 2006


Darshan Ramdhani, Senior Crown Counsel Addresses Fifth Annual Meeting of GRENDIN, 11 December 2008

Darshan Ramdhani, Senior Crown Counsel Addresses Fifth Annual Meeting of GRENDIN, 11 December 2008


Senator the Honourable Franka Bernadine, Addresses Fifth Annual Meeting of GRENDIN, 11 December 2008

Senator the Honourable Franka Bernadine, Addresses Fifth Annual Meeting of GRENDIN, 11 December 2008


THANK YOUTHANK YOU

STRUCTURE AND FUNCTION OF THE GRENDIN, OCTOBER 2009

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