There is growing evidence of the effectiveness of trauma, gender, and sex (TGS) informed approaches in all areas of the substance use field, including prevention, education, harm reduction, treatment, policy, and research. Trauma-informed practice (TIP) is an important approach to improving substance use services, programming, policy and health promotion initiatives. Equally important is the integration of sex and gender based evidence into the substance use response system. Ultimately, creating gender transformative approaches to substance use can help to reduce gender and health inequities.
This field is constantly changing, with scientific and social understandings of trauma, gender and sex continuing to evolve. This toolkit is intended to contribute to the ongoing growth and sophistication of substance use responses in Canada.
