A scoping review of sentinel surveillance systems on illicit drug use

To identify and characterize active national illicit drug use sentinel surveillance systems worldwide.

We conducted a scoping review to identify and characterize active sentinel surveillance systems for illicit drug use worldwide. Inclusion criteria: 1) articles describing or analyzing data from sentinel networks with an established national scope, 2) supported by public agencies, and 3) data accessible via online repositories. We excluded articles on networks which did not have drug surveillance as their main designated objective.

Ten sentinel surveillance systems targeting recreational drug use at the national level were identified. Even though each has its own structure and functionality, they are often integrated in larger surveillance programs. Although health professionals in emergency departments are the main informants, some systems also include information directly from people who use drugs or from community stakeholders. Systems also varied in their operational characteristics, including reporting frequency and methods used to disseminate findings.

Having similarities, awareness of these different characteristics makes it possible to improve the design of surveillance systems directed towards illicit drug use monitoring and surveillance.