Using ‘Rapid Assessment and Response’ (RAR), it is possible to assess a situation quicklyreact just as rapidly.

In SEARCH II, therefore, the RAR model was supplemented with a monitoring module. This is because on completion of the Basic RAR, and after implementing initial measures for prevention or intervention, the work is still far from completed. Migrant groups in particular can often change within a very short period of time.

For this reason, you should regularly verify the composition and problems within vulnerable groups of refugees, asylum seekers or illegal migrants. The same applies for the types of possible drug use within such groups. It is essential to assess the measures introduced. Depending on the situation, RAR monitoring makes it possible to already assess the success or failure of an intervention after only a few weeks or months.

The adjacent graphic illustrates schematically the course of a basic RAR. The course of the monitoring is analogous. Provided that there has been good preparation, it is possible to conduct the monitoring in less than three months.

As with the basic RAR, the RAR Monitoring Module was developed by the Trimbos Institute and the Centrum voor Verslavingsonderzoek in Utrecht in the Netherlands in collaboration with the Coordination Office for Drug-Related Issues (Koordinationsstelle Sucht) at the Landschaftsverband Westfalen-Lippe (LWL). Detailed information on the methodology can be found in the supplement to the SEARCH RAR manual.

Purpose of the RAR monitoring The RAR monitoring achieves the following:

Methodical course of the RAR monitoring

The activities of the RAR monitoring are based on the two groups of four key questions on drug use and prevention measures. The monitoring process is conducted in two steps. Step 1 is concerned with gathering information on the groups of refugees, asylum seekers and illegal migrants already being investigated. Here particular attention is paid to changes in this group and to the possible recent arrival of new groups vulnerable to addiction. Only the four key questions on drug use are utilised at this point.

The first stage of the monitoring ends with two focus groups. This presupposes, of course, that the key informants have been chosen and the sampling has been carried out. The first focus group is concerned with changes in the situation and the use of substances in the existing target community. The second focus group, on the other hand, discusses any possible new problem groups that may have arrived.

Phase 2 substantially depends on the results of the preceding focus groups. If any changes have been ascertained in the previous target group, these are examined with a ‘short’ RAR. This investigates whether there have been any deteriorations or improvements in the situation.

In the first case, it is concerned with establishing the causes for the deterioration and developing possibilities for action. In the second case, the ‘short’ RAR is concerned not just with determining the reasons but also with how to disseminate the success on a broad basis.

If the development within the previously examined group has stagnated, this is analysed with a focus group. The members of the various focus groups should fulfil one of the following requirements: They should

If new groups of asylum seekers, refugees and illegal migrants are identified that are at risk of addiction, a new basic RAR is initiated. This can, however, be shortened at various points. Much of the information will already be known from previous activities. This enables, for example, the number of semi-structured and structured interviews to be reduced. At least 15 semi-structured and five structured interviews would then be sufficient for this ‘light’ RAR. This presupposes that the RAR team has good access to, and regular contact with the migrant groups being focussed on.

The ‘short’ RAR The main difference between the ‘short’ RAR and the basic RAR is that the semi-structured interviews are dispensed with. With the ‘short’ RAR, this step for securing information is replaced with focus group interviews. These are essentially normal focus groups with key informants and specialists. However, at the beginning of the respective focus group session the participants are questioned individually using the grids. It is not intended that there should be any discussion on the answers. Possibly conflicting points of view and unresolved aspects are not discussed until the interviews have been completed.

Thus a ‘short’ RAR comprises the following steps:

The requirements for the individual elements of the ‘short’ RAR are the same as for the basic RAR. The same applies for the reporting and data administration that is not described in detail here. The grids for structuring the information are also essentially the same as for the basic RAR.

The participants in the focus group interviews should already have participated in the second focus group of the original basic RAR or in one of the focus groups of the first monitoring stage. This is because it is concerned with evaluating measures that have already been instigated. Background knowledge is required in order to be able to assess them.

As part of the structured interviews it is also possible to utilise a ‘snowball’ system, i.e. it is possible to enquire about further informants. Any potentially interesting informants can then be questioned using semi-structured interviews if the interviewer considers this necessary. Any outstanding issues that are still unresolved can then be discussed in the subsequent focus group.

It is also concerned with drawing consequences from the changed situation of the target group. These could lead to the prevention strategies be adapted or completely new approaches being developed.