Public Health Policies on Psychoactive Substance Use: A Manual for Health Planners

Abstract

The use of psychoactive substances has various social and health consequences. These can be addressed from the field of health and social welfare through policies formulated by government agencies in accordance with their specific mandates. An explicit policy on health and psychoactive substance use allows the development of the necessary responses to protect and promote the right to health of the population as it relates to this complex problem. This manual is an instrumental tool based on policy analysis techniques and methods developed with the purpose of facilitating the application of public health principles to define responses to problems associated with psychoactive substance use. To this end, the manual contains examples and exercises that illustrate the various phases of the planning process and can be used in workshops and other training activities. It is intended for those responsible for formulating, implementing, and evaluating policies, plans, and programs aimed at reducing the consequences of psychoactive substance use on collective health, from government health agencies and other relevant sectors to civil society.