Drugs and community action strategy evaluation 2006

An evaluation of the Drugs and Community Action Strategy

The recent evaluation of CDATs has found that they:

• are more effective than ever,
• occupy a unique position in their communities,
• deliver effective projects,
• enhance local service delivery,
• attract significant support outside the drug budget,
• and increase local community capacity.

The 2006 evaluation by EUREKA strategic research included a review of:

• Community Drug Strategies files,
• a survey of CDAT members and chairs,
• consultations with key stakeholders,
• CDAT case studies
• and media analysis.

Community Drug Strategies director, Tahn O’Brien, said: “We now have further evidence of our ability to fulfil the objectives that this program was based on. I really want to congratulate all CDATs for your hard work and your response to the evaluators.

“CDATs have well and truly established themselves in their communities attracting more than $2 million worth of funding and in-kind support outside the drug budget allocations since the program began. Congratulations are also due to the project officers who CDATs rated as crucial to their success.”

Feedback from external stakeholders suggested that CDATs greatest strength is the unique role they play in bringing together people from different areas of government, non-government and the community.

Who are we

The evaluation has also shown the changing face of CDAT membership with significant representation of local government and NSW government departments including health, police and education and training, and an increasing percentage of members from non-government organisations and charities since the last evaluation in 2003.

What do we do

The top four CDAT activities were found to be:

• drug information and education events and activities;
• safe environment, alternative and prevention events or activities;
• liaising with media;
• and developing information resources.

Many CDATs also conduct surveys or other research on alcohol and other drug issues in their community, run training for other organisations in the community and facilitate community cooperation and partnerships.

Who is our audience

The main focus of CDAT activities are: general population (57 percent), young people (29 percent), young Aboriginal people (10 percent), other Aboriginal people (two percent), and drug users (two percent).

What makes a successful CDAT

CDATs felt that their success was related to:

• A planning process with clear direction, community consultation, planning and action clearly linked to that of the wider region, and clear statistics on local social indicators
• Membership which is diverse, motivated, influential, well networked, proactive in identifying gaps in membership and approaching relevant candidates, can fundraise and attract support, and has a strong chair
• Effective self-evaluation and the use of working groups and sub-committees effectively to achieve outcomes
• Community credibility
• And cooperative relationships among state and local government agencies

What interests CDATs

CDATs are choosing to include a range of issues related to alcohol and other drugs as part of their role, with the majority identifying community development and sustainability, mental health and healthy lifestyles as emerging issues of interest. CDATs also felt that some attention to community engagement and facilitating partnerships is still required.

Skills development for CDATs

CDATs put capacity building activities as high priority and have requested new and ongoing training in fundraising, media, website development, knowledge of drug and alcohol issues, evidence of good practice, and community consultation.

As a result senior project managers in Coffs Harbour and Dubbo regional offices have been allocated another $20,000 each to help carry on capacity building activities over 2006/2007.

Program director, Tahn O’Brien added: “We’ve certainly gained a lot of information from CDATs as a result of this evaluation and we’re really grateful for the feedback. It all helps to inform future directions of the program.”

Resources for families and teenagers excellent

A second evaluation reviewed two statewide drug information resources including Family matters: how to approach drug issues with your family, and the Drug smart information card for teenagers and found them to be top quality resources.

Both parents and stakeholders felt the resources are relevant, clear, credible and easy to understand, providing a practical and balanced approach to drug and alcohol issues. The majority of teenagers found the drug smart card to be relevant to younger teenagers between 11 and 17 years old.

Family Matters is available in 15 languages. See Family Matters to find out more.

For details about the Drug Smart card, see the new version of the Drug Smart card.

For further information

Contact	:	Brent Mackie, Manager Drug Information and Education, NSW Health
Phone	:	9424 5898
Email	:	brent.mackie@doh.health.nsw.gov.au