Evaluation of the National Anti-Drug Strategy

Appendix B: Evaluation Questions and Indicators

The evaluation was designed to address the following specific evaluation questions and indicators:

Relevance

  1. Is there a continued need for the National Anti-Drug Strategy?
    1. Extent to which there is a continued need for the Strategy and its programming elements
  2. To what extent are the objectives of the Strategy aligned with federal government priorities?
    1. Linkage between the objectives of the Strategy (and its components) to federal priorities and departmental strategic outcomes
    2. Extent to which horizontal, multi-partner approach to illicit drugs and PDA continues to be a priority of the federal government
  3. Is there a legitimate and necessary role for the federal government to deliver a national strategy of this nature?
    1. Extent of federal roles and responsibilities that are aligned with the various Strategy’s programming elements
    2. Evidence of any overlap/duplication of effort with other governments/stakeholders

Performance (Achievement of Outcomes)

  1. To what extent and in what way has the Strategy achieved its expected immediate outcomes?

    Extent to which the Prevention Action Plan has achieved its immediate outcomes:

    1. Increased awareness and understanding of illicit drugs, PDA and their negative consequences
    2. Enhanced supports for targeted at-risk populations
    3. Enhanced knowledge in communities to address illicit drug use, PDA and their negative consequences

    Extent to which the Treatment Action Plan has achieved its immediate outcomes:

    1. Enhanced capacity to plan/deliver a range of treatment services and programs to targeted populations
    2. Improved collaboration on responses and knowledge of treatment issues

    Extent to which the Enforcement Action Plan has achieved its immediate outcomes:

    1. Increased effectiveness of efforts related to drug enforcement, tax compliance and prosecution of illicit drug producers and distributors
    2. Increased effectiveness in gathering, analyzing/sharing intelligence and analyzing evidence
    3. Increased awareness of illicit drug and precursor chemical issues for enforcement officials
    4. Increased effectiveness in controlling and monitoring controlled substances and precursor chemicals
  2. To what extent and in what way has the Strategy achieved its expected intermediate outcomes?

    Extent to which the Prevention Action Plan has achieved its intermediate outcomes:

    1. Enhanced capacity among targeted populations to make informed decisions about illicit drug use and PDA
    2. Strengthened community responses to illicit drug and PDA issues in targeted areas
    3. Reduced risk-taking behaviours related to illicit drugs and PDA

    Extent to which the Treatment Action Plan has achieved its intermediate outcomes:

    1. Increased availability of and access to effective treatment services and programs for targeted populations in areas of need
    2. Enhanced uptake of evidence-informed treatment practices
    3. Improved treatment systems, programs and services to address illicit drug dependency and PDA in targeted populations in areas of need
    4. Reduced risk-taking behaviours related to illicit drugs and PDA

    Extent to which the Enforcement Action Plan has achieved its intermediate outcomes:

    1. Disruption of criminal organizations/operations related to illicit drug production and distribution
    2. Improved intelligence and evidence about illicit drugs
    3. Improved intelligence and evidence about PDA
    4. Increased safety in dismantling illicit drug operations, e.g., MGOs, clanlabs
    5. Increased compliance and reduced risk of diversion of controlled substances, prescription drugs and precursor chemicals
    6. Reduced health, safety and security risks associated with illicit drug production
  3. Overall, to what extent and in what ways has the Strategy contributed to or impeded the achievement of the outcomes?
    1. Ways in which the horizontal nature of the Strategy has contributed to or impeded the achievement of the outcomes
    2. Factors that have contributed to or impeded achievement of outcomes
    3. Suggestions for improvement to the Strategy to increase successful achievement of outcomes

Performance (Demonstration of Efficiency and Economy)

  1. Is the Strategy making efficient and economical use of its resources in relation to the production of outputs and progress toward expected outcomes?
    1. Planned vs. actual expenditures
    2. Evidence that the horizontal approach contributed to the efficiency and economy of the Strategy (e.g., collaboration amongst partners, reduced duplication)
    3. Potential improvements to Strategy to increase efficiency (e.g., linkages, governance structure, administration and reporting)