About 'prevention profiles'
Introduction and background
What are countries in Europe doing to prevent illicit drug use? The EMCDDA's 'prevention profiles' try to answer this question by providing information on the level of implementation of different prevention measures in 30 European countries (the 27 EU Member States, Croatia, Turkey and Norway). Each 'prevention profile' consists of a structured overview of prevention measures in a country, according to the four main types of prevention: environmental strategies, universal prevention, selective prevention and indicated prevention. In addition, the data can also be displayed on a map of Europe which allows the user to examine differences and similarities between countries in their implementation of different prevention measures.
Data sources
'Level of provision' data
Information on the 'level of provision' for different prevention measures are collected by the EMCDDA through its 'Reitox network' using 'structured questionnaires'. These questionnaires are filled in by an expert, or panel of experts, in each country, submitted to the EMCDDA over the Internet, and the responses form the basis of the 'level of provision' data provided in the prevention profiles. Two different rounds of data collection have been completed so far: in 2007 and in 2010, though only the 2007 data is currently available online.
Structured questionnaires are particularly useful for collecting information on the level of provision of interventions, where quantitative data and detailed information on the contents of interventions may not be not readily available. In the case of prevention, the interventions are carried out by a wide range of different service providers, spread across different social sectors and therefore information on the level of provision therefore cannot be tracked in detail (with the only exception being data on manualised school-based prevention programmes, as collected in the MUSTAP questionnaire).
Three different structured questionnaires are used to collect prevention data and these may be downloaded here: the Universal prevention questionnaire [PDF] (data for universal prevention, containing also some data on environmental strategies, and one item on indicated prevention), the Selective prevention questionnaire [PDF] (data on selective prevention), and the MUSTAP questionnaire [PDF] (MUSTAP data provided under universal prevention). The questionnaires contain both the questions asked as well as any instructions provided to the experts.
Tobacco and alcohol policies scores
The Tobacco and alcohol policies scores are taken from the values published in two separate studies.
The values given for the tobacco control scale are taken from Joossens, L. and Raw M., (2006), 'The Tobacco Control Scale: a new scale to measure country activity', Tob Control 2006;15:247-53 (external link). The Tobacco Control Scale is a scale designed to quantify the implementation of tobacco control policies at country level. Maximum 100 points, composed of sub-scores for:
- price of cigarettes and other tobacco products (max. 30);
- smoke free work and other public places (max. 22);
- spending on public information campaigns (max. 15);
- comprehensive bans on advertising and promotion (max. 13);
- large direct health warning labels (max. 10) and;
- treatment to help dependent smokers stop (max. 10).
The values for the alcohol control score are taken from Karlsson & Österberg, (2007), 'Scaling alcohol policies in Europe' (external link). This score is based on the BtG scale, developed for the Bridging the Gap project (external link) designed to quantify the implementation of alcohol control policies at country level. Maximum 40 points, composed of sub-scores for:
- alcohol taxation (max. 16);
- blood alcohol concentration allowed (max. 4);
- age limits (max. 4);
- control of production and wholesale (max. 2);
- distribution (max. 10);
- control of marketing (max. 3) and;
- public policy (max. 1).
Numbers of published studies
The information on published studies in a given country is mainly reported to the EMCDDA through the annual Reitox national report for the country in question. The number of published studies is defined as the total number of studies evaluating interventions relating to this type of prevention within the country, published in scientific journals, as reported through in the previous 2 years.
Evaluation activity score
The evaluation activity score is based on the number of projects submitted by a country's focal points to the EMCDDA's Exchange on Drug Demand Reduction Action (EDDRA) since 2000. EDDRA is an online database of evaluated interventions in drug demand reduction implemented in EMCDDA member countries. Entries are submitted to the database by the focal point of each EMCDDA member countries. Only projects which reach certain minimal requirements in terms of evaluation are included in EDDRA. The final evaluation activity score, is based on the number of projects submitted and an assessment of the level of evaluation of these projects (based on EDDRA 'quality levels' — for more information see: EDDRA quality levels).
Download the source data
You can download the data used to generate the prevention profiles in spreadsheet format below.
Prevention profiles in spreadsheet format [.xls] (last updated: 06.09.2010)
Guidelines and disclaimer for reusing this data
The information provided here may be freely reused, provided it is reproduced accurately, not presented in a misleading way and that all sources are acknowledged (and for the sources, please pay particular attention to the 'Tobacco and alcohol policies scores', which are not original EMCDDA data). The EMCDDA cannot be held responsible for any liability arising due to the reuse of this information and though every effort is made to ensure that the information is accurate, we cannot guarantee that it is error free. However, you can contact us at any time should you have queries or doubts regarding the data or its interpretation. We are happy to learn of any projects where the data have been used, along with any feedback you might have.
Technical help and support
The 'Prevention profiles' are designed to work on any modern web browser and do not require any additional third-part plugins etc. The best experience will be obtained when both JavaScript and CSS are activated (which is the default for most browsers). However, should you experience any problems or have any difficulties using the website, please do not hesitate to contact us.



