Substance Abuse in Canada was launched by the Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse in 2005 to draw attention to key contemporary substance abuse issues in this country and highlight areas for action in both policy and practice. Published biennially, each edition is developed through a review and analysis of the latest research evidence and is targeted primarily at policy makers, program development personnel, researchers, educators and health professionals. Health journalists also make up an important readership of this report as they raise the public profile of the issues and help create the impetus for change.
Substance Abuse in Canada: Concurrent Disorders (April 2010)
Concurrent Disorders—the co-occurrence of mental health and substance abuse problems—was written by CCSA’s Scientific Advisory Committee. The report calls attention to the need for integrated and coordinated treatment services for those suffering from concurrent disorders in order to improve outcomes for this client group. It also highlights the need for a common educational platform for training and developing the skills of the workforce that deals with this group. Special attention must be placed on youth, as this is a life stage where most problems develop and the opportunities for early intervention hold most promise. To view this document, please click here.
Substance Abuse in Canada: Youth in Focus (September 2007) [PDF]
Youth in Focus reviews current knowledge about youth substance abuse in Canada, and suggests future directions for action. First, patterns of youth substance use and related harms in the general population are reviewed and contrasted with patterns among non-mainstream youth. The report then examines a range of Canadian responses to youth substance use and also devotes a chapter to the effects of substance use on youth brain development. A chapter on gaps in our approaches provides the backdrop for the exploration of areas that require action. To view this document, please click here.
Substance Abuse in Canada: Current Challenges and Choices (April 2005) [PDF]
In Current Challenges and Choices, a number of issues are identified and explored as separate chapters, ranging from new directions in preventing alcohol problems to alternative sanctions for cannabis use and possession, and from drugs and driving to abuse of prescription medications. To view this document, please click here.