City insights: creating a collaborative network for city-level monitoring of drug trends and harm reduction

Civil society and community-led monitoring of harm reduction in Europe plays a crucial role as a complementary source to existing monitoring mechanisms, particularly those operating at the European level, such as the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) and the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA). While regional and national-based monitoring systems are essential, their focus on large datasets and national statistics often poses challenges in describing the local level. At the same time, more than two-thirds of the EU population is living in cities, and concentrated levels of drug use and new drug trends can be identified in cities. Cities are at the forefront of developing and implementing innovative health, social and drug policy responses and are where both problems emerge and solutions are found. In this context, city-level monitoring offers a more nuanced perspective by producing in-depth and situated data for local policy planning and implementation. Establishing a city-level monitoring network also contributes to effective advocacy, empowering local policymakers and service delivery managers to tailor harm reduction strategies based on specific city needs. However, this endeavour faces hurdles, such as developing indicators adaptable to diverse contexts, striking a balance between quantitative data and qualitative narratives, and ensuring that dissemination methods cater to the diverse needs of different stakeholders. 

In this interactive workshop, co-organized by the Correlation-European Harm Reduction Network (C-EHRN) and the Trans European Drug Information network (TEDI), we will shed light on the significance of civil society monitoring initiatives and the challenges they encounter in navigating the complex landscape of harm reduction at the city level. As we collectively explore the current state of these initiatives through short, interactive presentations, participants will gain insights into the multifaceted nature of city-level monitoring, considering its strengths and hurdles.

Throughout the workshop, attendees will be encouraged to engage in working groups actively focused on key aspects, such as data collection methodologies, collaboration between stakeholders, and the utilisation of technological tools and platforms for effective monitoring. Additionally, we will address the pivotal role of data-driven advocacy in shaping policies and strategies at the local level. Finally, a feedback session will enable participants to share their key takeaways and insights, ultimately contributing to advancing civil society and community-led city-level monitoring practices across European cities. This collaborative session is open to experts from various domains, including harm reduction practitioners, public health professionals, policymakers, and individuals with living and lived experience.