Antwerp Drugs and Alcohol Monitor: A Belgian local drug scene in the picture

作者：Tieberghien Julie^*; Decorte Tom

来源：Drug and Alcohol Review, 2009, 28(6): 616-622.

DOI：10.1111/j.1465-3362.2009.00061.x

• local monitoring
• drug
• ethnography

Introduction and Aims. Qualitative data on local drug scenes in Belgium are scarce. As information on them remains limited to the official registration systems, the needs of a number of drug users are not taken into account. From a social scientific and policy point of view, there is a need for information on the experiences and the patterns of drug use. In this study, we have developed and tested a drugs and alcohol monitor for the city of Antwerp. Design and Methods. The Antwerp Drugs and Alcohol Monitor (ADAM) combines three qualitative methods: (i) in-depth interviews with 39 key informants; (ii) ethnographic fieldwork by four community fieldworkers; and (iii) ethnographic fieldwork by the researcher. This methodology is based on an analysis of national and international literature on drug-monitoring systems. Results. This paper presents an overview of the results of a pilot study in the city of Antwerp. The ADAM produces a detailed picture of the local drug issues (nature and extent of use, drug markets, quality of life, etc.) and thus offers the understanding that is required for a well-founded local drug policy. Discussion and Conclusions. Provided that repeated measurements are made, a local drug monitor can inform policymakers, treatment experts, etc. on developments and phenomena concerning drug use. However, the ADAM is a qualitative drug-monitoring system, and it must be emphasised that a combined monitor is more efficient. Indeed, a combination of qualitative and quantitative methods enhances the reliability of the results. [Tieberghien J, Decorte T. Antwerp Drugs and Alcohol Monitor: A Belgian local drug scene in the picture. Drug Alcohol Rev 2009].

• 出版日期2009-11