Focus group 1: Meeting on the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on patterns of drug use and drug services in the Western Balkans

The EMCDDA is carrying out an information gathering exercise using the trendspotter methodology. The objective is to map and increase our understanding of the impact of the COVID-19 and the associated national response measures on patterns of drug use, harms and service provision in the Western Balkans, as well as to identify innovative national and local responses.

In the context of this study, the IPA7 team developed and launched an online survey designed to collect data related to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on drug use and drug services in the Western Balkans and organised a series of video-based expert meetings with a limited number of drug professionals, coordinators, researchers and other professionals from around the region. The national focus groups composed by practitioners working in the field of drug addiction take place online on 2 July and 7 August.