Translating science into policy-making in the field of drug use in developing countries

1. Translating science into policy-making in the field of drug use in developing countries Prof J Toufiq, MD The MoroccanObservatory on Drugs and Addictions Lisbon. Oct 24, 2017

2. Recommendations: 3. Implement evidence-based prevention programs 4. Implement evidence-based treatments for substance use disorders 5. Collect and utilize scientific data and engage scientific experts in policy making 7. Support drug-related research

3. Why do weneed to raise the issue of « science speaking to policy »? • We’re talking about a tremendous burden worldwide • A huge public health issue • Important consequences on many levels • Great uncertainty on what works and what doesn’t • Conflicting objectives depending on the stakeholder • Multiple stakeholders • Complexity of the decision environment (culture, society, media…) • Need for accountability (outcomes, public money…) And mainly because no other approach has succeeded so far!

4. In the ideal world Not always the case

5. In the ideal world

6. Beliefs and values in decision making Facts Daniel J. Epstein

7. “Very often, policy makers just ignore what’s happening on the ground. It’s not about willingness, it’s about knowledge and not being exposed to facts.” A Moroccan parliamentarian

8. Science serving the purpose of policymaking; isthateasy? • Science can and should help decision makers shaping their beliefs. • Unfortunately, science is not easily accessible to decision makers. • Plus, scientists often do not understand decision makers’ information needs. • It’s necessary to build a framework for bridging the gap between science and decision making. • This can be a helpful process that requires skills in both science and decision making. • How to do it remains a real challenge!!! • Especially in developing countries…

9. The situation in developing countries I • Confused perception of science by people • Huge lack of data collection and dissemination (the culture of figures and numbers) • Scarce qualified human resources (research applied to drug use) • Lack of link between policy making and science • Politics and science-based policies (party priorities, pace of programs, election agenda, economy (budget cycles)…) • Policy makers often struggle to reconcile policy with politics (political ideology, party politics, and policy implementation) • Trust between policy makers and scientists (science serves the purpose of those who claim it is not working) • The issue of lobbying … (tobacoo, alcohol, gambling...)

10. The situation in developing countries II • Policy makers often struggle to reconcile policy with politics (political ideology, party politics, and policy implementation) • Trust between policy makers and scientists (science serves the purpose of those who claim it is not working) • Policy makers reaching out to the right scientists: the issue of expertise… • The issue of lobbying … (tobacoo, alcohol, gambling...)

11. The situation in developing countries III • The involvement of civil society in policy making (with poor access to science and knowledge) • The civil society advocacy / push for “quick responses" rather than sometimes costly science-based policies • Unqualified NGO leaders and workers • Poor link between scientists and NGOs • Poor access to science • Poor access to data of any kind

12. Policy makers’ access to scientific knowledgein developing countries • Policy makers usually do not read scientific journals • Science is sometimes very expensive to get • Even available, science is not always easy to read and understand • Level of education of policy makers • Research often comes in a language that is incomprehensible to many policy-makers. • Technical research needs to be translated into practical and engaging recommendations. • It needs to relate strongly to a policy-maker’s decision-making environment.

13. Challenges in developing countries • Changing beliefs to integrate science as a useful tool for policy making • Trusting international and local reliable scientific research when available • Outsourcing data / commissioning scientists and academics • Reading science • Translating science into policies • Disseminating outcomes • Sharing info (data retention)

14. Conclusions I • Unfortunately, in developing countries, academic research has little influence on policy, if any. • The issue of research incentives. • The problem is not only how to produce research but also how to communicate it. • Even when well communicated, research does not always serve decision making and planning. • Few developing countries have been able to improve capacity building within their policy making officers. • Capacity building for policy makers? How relevant is it? Is it easy to do in developing countries?

15. Conclusions II • This said, science is just one of many aspects to be considered • Other aspects are: • public perception and sentiment, • political relevance and feasibility, • impacts on society, communities, • impacts on economy, • available human and material resources, • laws, regulations …

16. Thank you very much!