Assessing support for substance use policies among the general public and policy influencers in two Canadian provinces. Substance Abuse Treatment, Prevention, and Policy

Evidence-informed policies play a critical role in addressing substance use disorders and substance-related harm. Public and policy influencer beliefs and perspectives about people’s use of drugs or other substances impact what kinds of policies are developed and/or changed. Increased understanding of the perceptions and levels of support for substance use policies is a key component of both discerning the current policy landscape and discovering opportunities for policy change. 

Curtin et al. (2024) conducted a secondary analysis of the 2019 Chronic Disease Prevention survey (CDP) and compared the two Canadian provinces of Alberta and Manitoba. Survey participants, including those from the general public and policy influencers, were asked to rate their level of support for 22 policies related to substance use. 

Overall, the authors found general support for all policies, and they discuss the similarities and differences between the public and policy influencer samples, as well as note impacts on intrusiveness of policy and trends in support. The authors also discuss the effects of gender, education, political alignment, immigration status, and Indigenous identity on support for substance use policy. This study helps address a gap in the exploration of levels of support for policies related to substance use, offering findings to assist health advocates in strategic planning and action.

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Full Publication: https://doi.org/10.1186/s13011-024-00622-w