The Information Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction collects and analyses standardised data on the epidemiology of drug addiction and responses to emerging problems. The Centre is in constant cooperation with drug demand and supply reduction institutions. It coordinates data collection and analysis regarding the activity of local governments in drug demand reduction. Analysis results are annually included in the national report which contains comprehensive information on the scale of the phenomenon. Additionally, for domestic purposes data are published in professional press. This form of monitoring system makes it possible for the data on the Poland’s drug situation to be reported internationally on a yearly basis.

Monitoring drugs and drug addiction relies on collecting and analysing data under five key indicators of the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA). The indicators draw on the European methodology and standards:

• general population surveys (GPS),
• treatment demand indicator (TDI),
• drug-related infectious diseases (DRID),
• drug-related deaths and mortality (DRD),
• problem drug use (PDU).

Moreover, the monitoring also covers trends in drug-related crime, market, welfare benefits and data on the implementation of the National Programme for Counteracting Drug Addiction at the central, regional and local level.

Monitoring and analysing drugs and drug addiction with the use of various indicators and data increases the reliability of the knowledge gained and makes it possible to adapt response measures to actual needs.