Potential Indicators for the Analysis of the Association between Public Health and Drug Market Policing in the Czech Republic: Review of Public Health Indicators

Abstract

BACKGROUND: A number of studies show that an intensification of the policing of illicit drug markets impacts on public health. The impacts are largely seen as negative. AIMS: The aim of this article is to describe the basic characteristics of available data and data collection of selected indicators and to review the aspects related to data collection and its context that might influence the selected public health time series in the Czech Republic. The secondary aim is to provide recommendations for future data collection in the Czech public health statistics. METHODS: This work is based on research of the specialised databases, reviewing reports published by relevant institutions and additional and selective literature and grey zone materials search. RESULTS: The article provides a review of the basic data collection characteristics and identifies different aspects of data collection and its context that have the potential to influence the time series of selected indicators in three different areas: a) treatment entrants, b) non-fatal and fatal intoxications, and c) infectious diseases. CONCLUSIONS: The review may assist and facilitate informed analysis and interpretation of drug-related law enforcement indicators individually or in combination with other indicators, using time series analysis as well as comparative approaches.