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

Executive summary: 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.