A conceptual framework for the public health monitoring of substance-related harms

Abstract

The drug toxicity crisis in Canada and elsewhere has increased the need for timely and relevant data to inform policies and programs aimed at mitigating substance-related harms. While a number of monitoring systems addressing specific components of substance use and related harms in Canada exist, they are not guided by an overarching conceptual framework. This evidence-informed policy brief describes the development of a conceptual framework for the public health monitoring of substance-related harms. The resulting framework includes four primary topic areas (risk and protective factors, substance use, health supporting systems and substance-related harms and benefits); four cross-cutting topic areas (life course, equity, substance use stigma and mental and physical health and illness); and two overarching considerations (respectful use of data and engagement). This framework can be used to organize existing activities and to identify data and monitoring gaps for further development.