Evaluation of the National Illicit Drug Strategy Community Partnerships Initiative

This project was an evaluation of the Community Partnerships Initiative (CPI) which was initiated by the Commonwealth Department of Health and Aged Care. The purpose of the CPI was to contribute to the prevention and reduction of illicit substance use among young people by funding community-based projects. The evaluation included a literature review, finalisation of a comprehensive evaluation strategy, identification of Key Informants and the recruitment of a national Advisory Group. Process and impact evaluations of the stages of the CPI were undertaken by reviewing available documentation and interviewing Key Informants. Project outcomes were primarily visible at a local level, and project staff and local informants were asked to assist in the identification of appropriate indicators against which the success of projects can be assessed. The success of the CPI as a whole was assessed by interviewing Key Informants at both the beginning and end of the evaluation period to establish whether perceptions of the value of the CPI changed. The project provided a model of evaluation for programs such as this and demonstrated where improvements could be made to increase the efficacy of the program.