ICQ is an initiative of The Colombo Plan. Its mission is to provide global leadership and a hub for organizations interested in promoting and improving the quality of SUDs treatment system and services to ensure the best positive outcomes for people with SUDs.
ICQ was created to work with three stakeholder groups (QA agencies, treatment providers and patients, family and caregivers).
Intended to ensure that SUDs services are in line with international standards for the treatment of SUDs through:
- Peer-led mechanisms to support quality and quality improvement efforts at the SUDs system and service levels,
- Training on quality and quality assurance mechanisms to support quality in treatment, and
- Technical support to assist countries QA agencies (includes accreditation bodies, inspectors, regulators) to obtain the international Quality Seal award for their QA evaluation efforts.
Vision
A healthier global community where quality, evidence and human rights transform approaches to treatment services for people with SUDs, their families, and communities.
Mission
Provide global leadership and serve as a hub for organizations interested in promoting and improving the quality of SUDs treatment services and systems. Our mission is to ensure the best positive outcomes for people with substance use disorders.
Value Proposition
Ensure that SUD systems and services align with international standards for the treatment of SUDs. This is achieved through peer-led and co-designed resources, technical support provided by ICQ to countries QA agencies to obtain the International Quality Seal Award, and technical support from PIQAT to interested countries offered by Colombo Plan, OAS/CICAD, and UNODC.
ICQ's Pillars of Work
Our pillars of work focus on our collaboration with international organizations and partners to recognize, promote, and improve quality in SUDs services by providing:
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Advocacy for the adoption of ‘The International Standards for the Treatment of Drug Use Disorders’, (2020, WHO/UNODC) and ‘Quality Assurance in Treatment for Drug Use Disorders: Key Quality Standards for Appraisal‘, (2021 pre-publication draft). |
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A membership structure via our Advisory Board Committees that includes networking opportunities for QA organizations, treatment service providers, and patient/families/caregiver advocacy groups with an interest in improving the quality of SUDs services and system of care in their country or region. |
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A ‘peer-led’ stamp of approval (a Quality Seal) that recognizes a QA organization operating in line with both the current International Standards and Key Quality Standards. |
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Support to interest agencies with training and resources, including briefings, webinars, and best practices in QA for SUDs services. |
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Technical assistance to interested countries QA agencies from ICQ to obtain the Quality Seal Award and to countries through PIQAT to improve quality in their SUDs system and services. |
These pillars form the foundation of ICQ's work, with adjustments made every 3-5 years as part of our organization's strategic framework.
Core Values
Our work is guided by a set of Core Values:
- Substance use disorders are complex biopsychosocial health conditions.
- People with substance use disorders are entitled to the same access to healthcare and quality of care as any other patient group.
- Services and systems for substance use disorders should be based on scientific evidence and provided in line with human rights.
- People with lived experience of substance use disorders and services have a valuable contribution to make in quality assurance and improvement.