A new string to our bow: the role of a self-evaluation approach for drug and alcohol services

Abstract

In Australia there is a wide range and diversity of services and programmes to address the problems associated with the use of alcohol and other drugs. As with many other spheres of social welfare, the effectiveness of individual programmes in addressing these problems remains largely unexamined. In response to the absence of evaluation activity at this level of service provision one state health body, the New South Wales Drug and Alcohol Directorate, has developed a project to promote programme evaluation for agencies providing drug and alcohol services in their jurisdictions. This paper provides a description of the project which involved the development of a "self-evaluation" method based on the comparison of programme objectives and actual outcomes. The implementation of this method involved the use of a resource kit, workshops conducted in each health area and region in New South Wales and individual consultation with service providers and drug and alcohol co-ordinators. The preliminary results of an evaluation of the project itself are also described. Evaluation activity has commenced in almost half the services participating in the workshops and participants reported a significant increase in knowledge and skills in evaluation. They also reported a decrease in anxiety about evaluation as a result of the workshops. The paper concludes by placing the project in the broader context of state and national strategic planning.