National Addictions Awareness Week 2012  

November 19–25, 2012

National Addictions Awareness Week (NAAW) is observed annually in Canada during the month of November. The Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse (CCSA) focuses on solutions to reduce the harm caused by alcohol and drugs. We work with professional and communities to better respond and help those who struggle with addictions. Here are the facts for Canadians aged 15 years and older (CADUMS 2011):

• 1 in 10 Canadians use illicit drugs
• 1 in 5 are high-risk drinkers
• 1 in 5 has used a psychoactive pharmaceutical in the past year

Substance abuse costs Canadian taxpayers more than $40 billion a year. It is a leading cause or a significant contributor to diseases such as cancer, HIV/AIDS, cardiovascular disease and diabetes. The biggest single direct cost associated with substance abuse is health care.

NAAW is an opportunity for Canada to talk about the complex problem of substance abuse and bring forward solutions for change.

Cross-Canada Activities

Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse
National Addictions Awareness Week
November 19-25, 2012

Youth Substance Abuse Prevention Tools - November 19 - 20

• Canadian Standards for Youth Substance Abuse Prevention: Canada’s first set of national standards for substance abuse prevention.
• NEW! Stories of Prevention Initiatives: Applying the Standards : Stories that profile the prevention work of organizations.
• NEW! Toolkit to Apply the Standards to Prevention Initiatives: A collection of worksheets and planning tools to strengthen youth substance abuse prevention.
• NEW! A Case for Investing in Youth Substance Abuse Prevention: A resource to assist professionals in the prevention field to make an economic case for investing in youth substance abuse prevention.

National Treatment Strategy Tools - November 21

• Systems Approach Workbook: Supporting substance use services in Canada.

National Alcohol Strategy Tools - November 22

• Canada’s Low-Risk Alcohol Drinking Guidelines: Advice to help Canadians moderate their alcohol consumption.

Drug Monitoring Tools - November 23

• Canadian Community Epidemiological Network on Drug Use (CCENDU): A network for agencies interested in drug trends.

Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP)
National Addictions Awareness Week
November 19-25, 2012

• Halifax, Nova Scotia: Launch of Canadian Champions project
• Newfoundland and Labrador: Amazing Drug Maze
• British Columbia: Drug Awareness Week and DARE Day
• Ottawa, Ontario: Lunch and learn drug information sessions

Éduc’alcool

National Addictions Awareness Week
November 19, 2012

• Launch of “Hosting Know-How” a publication with advices to avoid excessive drinking during parties. November 5th, 2012
• Launch of mass media campaign to explain what is a standard drink

Quebec Ministry of Health and Social Services
Drug Awareness Week
November 18-24, 2012

Saskatchewan Ministry of Health and Regional Health Authorities
Saskatchewan Addictions Awareness Week
November 19-25, 2012

Alberta Health Services
National Addictions Awareness Week
November 18 – 24, 2012