Substance Use in Canada Series

Since 2005, the Substance Use in Canada series has spotlighted key issues related to substance use and identified specific areas for action in both policy and practice. In the Substance Use in Canada series, CCSA publishes reports guided by CCSA’s Scientific Advisory Council to ensure that they contain the latest research and evidence. Each report is intended for a broad audience that includes policy makers, program development personnel, researchers, educators and healthcare professionals.

The series was originally launched under the name Substance Abuse in Canada, which was changed to eliminate the stigmatizing language and to more accurately reflect problematic substance use and substance use disorders.
 

In this section:

Research
Partners and Collaboration

What is the Substance Use in Canada Series

Since 2005, the Substance Use in Canada series has highlighted key substance use issues and recommended actions for policy and practice. Guided by CCSA’s Scientific Advisory Council, the reports provide evidence-based insights for policymakers, researchers, educators, and healthcare professionals, with the series name updated to reduce stigma.

Featured Resource

Experiences of Harm Reduction Service Providers During Dual Public Health Emergencies in Canada

This report examines the benefits and challenges harm reduction workers across Canada are facing as they continue to deal with the concurrent opioid-related toxicity emergency and COVID-19 pandemic.

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Get to know our team.

Pam Kent, PhD

Director, Research and Emerging Trends

Area of Expertise:

  • Cannabis
  • Mental Health
  • SGBA+
  • Substance Use Costs
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Frank Crichlow

Substance Use Collective Member

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portrait of Linda Dabros

Linda Dabros, BA (Psychology) (Ontario)

Member-at-Large

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Susan Landry, CHRL

Director, Human Resources

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Antoinette Gravel-Ouellette

Substance Use Collective Member

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portrait of Dan Hogan

Daniel Hogan, BPHE (Ontario)

Member-at-Large

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Rhowena Martin

Chief Impact Officer

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Angie Hamilton

Substance Use Collective Member

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Portrait of Lakhder Malki

Lakhder Malki, CPA, MBA (Alberta)

Member-at-Large

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Contact an Expert

Get to know our experts at CCSA. Whether it is alcohol, cannabis, stigma, opioids, or any another topic related to substance use and addiction, our team of professionals is available to provide their knowledge expertise. Browse our staff profiles to find the right expert to meet your specific needs.
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Latest CCSA Updates

News

RCMP warning of counterfeit Dilaudid, Xanax amid spate of youth overdose deaths

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News
‘They’ve saved a lot of lives:’ Nanaimo CSOs seeing high volume of calls for service
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News
'A lot of trust was lost': UVic students push for accountability after student's fatal overdose
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News
International AFINet 2025 conference; Quebec City (21-23 May): Addiction, family members and other people concerned
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Keep informed with Addiction News Daily and CCENDU newsletter, alerts and bulletins

CCSA is pleased to offer the opportunity to sign up to receive news and publications on substance use trends, consequences, and outcomes, helping to reduce harm by supporting evidence-informed decisions.
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Browse the CCSA Network of Websites

CCSA's Issues of Substance Conference

This biannual, national conference brings together people from across the country, including addiction workers, healthcare professionals, researchers, policy makers, and people with lived and living experience
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Canadian Substance Use Costs and Harms

This project provides comparable and up-to-date data on the costs and harms of substance use in Canada and allows people to explore and analyze the data through its data visualization tool.
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Workforce Competencies

CCSA developed measurable technical and behaviour competencies in knowledge, skills and values for the substance use workforce, providing consistent care across the wide range of settings.
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Drink Less Live More

Canada has new guidance on alcohol and your health. CCSA wants you to be able to make the most informed decisions you can about drinking alcohol.
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Lower Risk Gambling Guidelines

Learn about the world’s first Lower-Risk Gambling Guidelines to help people in Canada make informed decisions about their gambling and lessen their risk of gambling-related harms. Use the Interactive Risk Assessment Tool to assess your personal gambling choices.
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The Highway Home

This interactive website takes an experiential approach to increasing youth’s and young drivers’ awareness of the risks and harms of drug-impaired driving, using real-life scenarios involving cannabis use and driving.
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CECA

CCSA contributes to the strategy development and provides secretariat, financial and support services to the council — a national, non-governmental organization that influences public policy on substance use.
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