4 Pillars
of Drug
Strategy
The opioid crisis is a complex issue- addressing it requires a comprehensive strategy. The 4 pillar drug strategy is an evidence- based approach that is recognized at a municipal, provincial and federal level.
Learn more about the
4 Pillar Strategy:
PREVENTION
Aims to prevent harmful drug use. Common goals include:
-
Reduce individual, family, neighbourhood and community harm from substance use
-
Delay onset of first substance use
-
Reduce incidence (rate of new cases over a period of time) and prevalence (number of current cases at one time in a population) of problematic substance use and substance dependence
-
Improve public health, safety and order
TREATMENT
Includes a range of interventions and support programs that encourage people with addiction problems to make healthier decisions about their lives.
-
Treatment is a continuum of care, and services can vary in duration and intensity
-
Programs can range from abstinence-based programs to managed use programs, depending on individual goals
-
Aims to increase cooperation between the criminal justice system and social services sector (e.g. Drug Treatment Courts)
COMMUNITY
SAFETY
Recognizes the need for peace, public order and safety; addresses the crime and social disorder related to drug use through:
-
Increased coordination between police, justice and social/health services to address drug related crime
-
Programs that divert people from the justice system to appropriate health supports
-
Supporting individuals whose addiction has resulted in criminal activities to find options that can lead to recovery
-
Addressing illegal drug production, supply and distribution
HARM
REDUCTION
Aims to reduce the harms of drug use to the individual and the community through:
-
A focus on the physical, emotional and relational harms caused by problematic substance use, rather than substance use itself
-
An approach to drug use that mitigates harm while understanding that total abstinence my not be an option for everyone
-
Establishing a hierarchy of achievable goals which, when taken step by step, can lead to a healthier life for drug users and a healthier community for everyone
Supervised Consumption Services are a harm reduction approach aimed at reducing overdose deaths and improving community health and safety. To learn more, click here.
Supervised Consumption Services (SCS) are one piece of a larger picture.....SCS is one service along a continuum of care for people who use drugs.
Want to know more?
Click on the arrows below for access to information
about 4 pillar drug strategies and harm reduction.
​