Key Considerations in the Design of a Sentinel Network for Drug Use: Qualitative Findings

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Epidemiology
• Drug Policy

Background:

• Effective drug and addiction surveillance requires timely detection of emerging consumption patterns and new psychoactive substances.
• Conventional reporting systems have a time lag, creating a gap that sentinel networks can address.
• Sentinel networks offer a proactive approach to substance use monitoring.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the design and implementation of a sentinel network for drug use surveillance.
• To identify key components and enabling factors for an effective sentinel network.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative study conducted between February and May 2025.
• 13 experts in public health, drug policy, prevention, epidemiology, and digital technologies participated.
• Data collected through three focus groups and four in-depth interviews, analyzed thematically using ATLAS.ti.

Main Results:

• Four categories and 13 subcategories were identified for the sentinel network design.
• Key areas include: definition/activation of alerts, selection of key informants, alert management, and sustainability.
• The study highlights the need for a multidisciplinary and flexible approach.

Conclusions:

• A sentinel network for drug use should be multidisciplinary, flexible, and integrated into existing surveillance.
• Diverse perspectives, professional support, and sustainability mechanisms are essential.
• This model can enhance early detection and inform substance use surveillance in similar contexts.