National Institute for Drug Prevention (NDI) is one of the most important bodies in Hungary to execute the National Drug Strategy, especially in consideration of objective for drug demand reduction. It is a knowledge center committed to the evidence-based academic orientation and information, expert development and knowledge-based cooperations.
Professional principles of NDI
NDI assures quality skills and information for decision makers and for the professional community as well. Seeks and shares recognitions, which can be effective responses for social problems arising from drug use. Gives opportunity for organizing open professional debates and represents professional community in drug prevention, treatment and community intervention related questions. The institute as the upholder and organizer of professional responses is committed to improve drug users' and their relatives' quality of life. Considering the principle of knowledge sharing it stands for supporting evidence-based and innovative interventions. To reach this goal, NDI is an intermediate between drug policy, field work and research.
The institute, as implementing body of the responsible ministry for coordinating drug affairs, contributes to review, acceptance and critical interpretation of professional knowledge related to drug use and health development.
NDI is aiming to improve quality of life among Hungarian population, therefore seeks possibilities to develop affected people's mental health, social security and social acceptance and drug-related harm reduction methods.
NDI works with the principles of quality, professionalism and commitment.
Main tasks of NDI
Reliable information
NDI regularly publishes, runs the Professional Information Portal (SZIP) and a constantly widening social science thematic library. Gives counsels in drug policy, research and best practices related questions. NDI's aim is to give balanced and reliable information in reference to drugs, drug use and harms caused by drugs.
Professional support of efficient public policy responses
NDI intends to give strategic aspects to draft evidence-based answers to drug related problems. Supports production of standards, professional guidelines and strategic plans devised in cooperation with professional communities. It also helps to implement quantitative and qualitative researches appropriate to strict quality criteria. NDI keeps contact with adequate national and international organizations and is committed to regional and international programs based on mutual benefits. Supporting development of academic based public policy planning and evaluation, the institute informs decision makers, professional and local communities and media. Takes part in analysis and evaluation of governmental efforts, exploration and publication of best practices.
Support of drug prevention and health development activities on national level
NDI's very important task is to collect, put in database and systematically analyze drug prevention and health development programs held in different scenes (school, family, workplace, leisure time) in the country. Its also very important function to publish national and international best practices, to help setting up methods to develop the quality of information and prevention programs. Therefore the institute initiates researches, organizes professional courses, conferences and publishes methodological issues.
Quality development
On behalf of best possible quality of interventions, services, programs and projects NDI urges to develop and maintain quality assurance systems for the care providers working in the field.
Professional cooperation
To the NDI's belief the only way to efficiently reduce public and individual risks and harms caused by drug usage is joining the different concerned fields. Therefore complex drug phenomena have to be handled within the confines of interdisciplinarity and multidisciplinarity. It requires recognizing the interdependence of related fields, assuring information flow and coherent planning.
Basic tasks of NDI
- to follow up professional recognitions and results related to drug usage and other addiction problems
- to develop guidelines, standards and to evaluate implementation of drug prevention programs
- professional support and evaluation of operation of Co-ordination Forums on Drug Affairs (so called KEFs are special professional coordination forums of the local communities)
- professional support, evaluation and financing of the preventive-informative service of drug diversion scheme
- to initiate, support and evaluate researches
- information and public representation in health development and drug related questions
- to maintain and expand international professional relations.
