Why was this database built?

This database was built as a resource to SANPUD and the Love Alliance partners. It contains essential data to strategically plan activities around people who use drugs and harm reduction in the Love Alliance countries.

How was the database built?

The database was prepared by carrying out desk research and a few online interviews with regional, national and/ or local key informants. Community reviews are being done to validate and update the database, as well as to draft and agree upon recommendations per country.

Desk research looked into relevant national policy documents, reports of international agencies and local organisations, as well as academic and non academic research involving the population in the respective countries.

Interviews helped collecting additional information not available in the documents and also to verify information and triangulate data.

Community reviews are periodically carried out with Love Alliance and its partners, including local partners in the respective countries. These reviews help guiding the database and its information, assuring it is adequate to the Alliance and its partner's needs.

How were the indicators chosen?

They reflect the most relevant indicators from existing data sources such as the Global State of Harm Reduction, UNODCs’ World Drugs Report, UNAIDS data, GFATM databases and the new IDPC Global Drug Policy Index.

Indicators were chosen to offer an overall perspective of the trends regarding drug use, policies and services for different groups of people who use drugs. The indicators are intended to complement the more general baseline being run by the Love Alliance.

How does the database platform work?

The platform is built as a free google site.

There are different levels of access to the database. It is possible for people to access it as an editor or a viewer. Viewers get the right to access and consult the database, while editors can work on its backend to edit and update it.

How do I consult the database?

Click on the respective country flag in the home page or the country name on the menu to go to the national information.

The narrative is divided by key indicators and presents a summary of the most relevant information gathered. Hyperlinks lead the reader to the sources of the information presented.

The excel sheet at the end of each narrative collects all the details for a specific country, divided by indicator. Click on each tab to visit the different indicators. Each tab contains details about every indicator, including the hyperlink to the source of the information as well as the specific page where the information comes from (when relevant).

References used for the narrative can be seen at the end of each page.

How can I contribute to the database?

In case you know of more resources than the ones presented here, or see a number or information that diverges from what you know about a country, please contact us. You can send any suggestion and supplementary information to r.rigoni@mainline.nl, and we will make sure to update the database accordingly.

How do I edit the database?

In case you are an editor, you can follow this video tutorial on how to create and edit a Google site. The platform allows for real time collaboration, and integrates well with Google sheets, docs, drive, maps, youtube, etc.