Using this site

Our goal in creating this site is to provide communities with ready access to information and tools that are both grounded in sound theory and readily applied in real-world settings.

The Comprehensive Community Health section provides a basic primer to the application of health promotion in the community. It introduces fundamental concepts and explains the theory that guides the selection of tools and information included on this site.

The Promising Practices section provides the core content for the site. The selected practices are consistent with the principles of health promotion, and reinforce each other to create a comprehensive approach. Each promising practice is linked to discussions of the underlying evidence and to tools and other supports for implementation contained in the Evidence, Tools & Stories database.

Our commitment

The Centre for Addictions Research of BC is committed to working with communities in the province to help them understand and address the range of multi-level factors that influence health and well-being, including those related to using substances. This involves developing a mix of initiatives aimed at addressing individual and environmental factors, and building and sustaining capacity by mapping and tapping the whole range of resources accessible to a community.

Welcome to Helping Communities!

This resource is designed to help BC communities take effective action in addressing the harms related to alcohol and other drugs, or "psychoactive substances." It is based on a comprehensive community health approach and grounded in a social ecological model of public health and health promotion.

What makes this resource unique

Unlike traditional approaches, which focus almost solely on how an individual's choices and behaviours determine their wellbeing, this resource puts much of its focus on the complex network of social and environmental factors that influence a person's choices and behaviours, particularly when it comes to using alcohol and other drugs. These complex relationships, as reflected in the social ecological model below, operate at several levels and contribute to the health and wellness of both individuals and communities.

While the causes of substance use problems are not well understood, we do know that substance-related harms result from an interplay of factors that influence one another over time. We also know that every community has its own unique set of assets and shortfalls which, seperately and together, serve either to protect citizens or put them at risk of health problems. The challenge is to determine the most effective and efficient ways to positively influence the unique mix of individual and environmental factors at play in a particular community with the end goal of improving the health of its residents.

Healthy individuals - healthy community

Effective action involves promoting health – not just treating or preventing problems. This means nurturing a healthy community environment that enhances the wellbeing of its members. In turn, healthy, happy citizens contribute to the building and maintenance of a healthy and positive community environment.

Nurturing a healthy community requires adopting a way of thinking and working toward change that is inclusive and adaptable. Known as "comprehensive community health," this approach is based on the health promotion principles of engaging all citizens (inclusion), weaving together community groups, businesses and social service agencies, schools and so on (intersectoral action) and recognizing there is no one solution to achieve community health and well being (multiple strategies and approaches).