The evolution of drug policy in Vancouver, Canada: Strategies for preventing harm from psychoactive substance use

In December of 2000, the City of Vancouver released its Four Pillars Drug Strategy in response to a serious public health crisis driven by illicit drug use in Vancouver. Following initial actions in the area of harm reduction and enforcement, in June 2005 the City of Vancouver developed its draft prevention plan titled “Preventing Harm from Psychoactive Substance Use”. The plan is based on a synthesis of international research and evaluation, examples of successful programs from other jurisdictions, and a community dialogue process. Its recommendations fall under five key prevention priorities, including reducing risk factors and increasing protective factors across the life course, community centred interventions, addressing impacts on communities, legislative and public policy change and regulated markets. Together, these prevention priorities form an integrated plan to prevent harm from substance use. This article provides a description of the process leading to the development of the plan and seeks to articulate its key strategies.