Now Available
It’s Here! Our Annual Report Is Live
CCSA’s 2024–2025 Annual Report is now available — a story of impact, innovation and growth. From key milestones to powerful insights, learn how we turned vision into results and what’s next on the horizon.
Explore the chapters of our year. Discover the impact we’re making, the challenges we’re overcoming and where we’re headed.
Recently at CCSA
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CCSA at CSAM!
We had a big presence at the Canadian Society of Addiction Medicine (CSAM) conference in Montreal.
Highlights include:
- Staff members Kim Corace, Pam Kent, Justine Renard and Christina Katan presenting their recent work to this national audience.
- Board members Chris Cull and Scott Elliott making presentations as well.
- Our CEO Alex Caudarella teaching a workshop on motivational interviewing.
It was great to speak to so many attendees, both in our sessions and the CCSA booth, who were interested in learning more about the work we are doing.
Read now. Stay informed. Lead the conversation.
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Hot Off the Press: Explore Our Latest Publications!
Stay ahead of the curve with our most recent publications — designed to inform, inspire and ignite conversation. Whether you're seeking in-depth research, expert insights or fresh perspectives on today’s most pressing substance use health topics, our releases have something for everyone.
Dive in, explore what’s new and discover content that matters.
New Release
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Issue 6: Recent Trends in Opioid-Related Toxicity Deaths in Canada
This issue features a regional breakdown of reports from six CCENDU sites and three drug checking services across the country. It focuses on the potential drivers of the national decrease in opioid-related toxicity deaths from 2023 to 2024, and includes high-level trends seen in early 2025.
Coming soon
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National Addictions Awareness Week
National Addictions Awareness Week (NAAW) is November 16–22, 2025.
CCSA is developing materials for partners and the public to use to help us promote NAAW. These resources will also help forge and strengthen connections among individuals, organizations, families and communities. By coming together, we can improve the lives of people who use substances in Canada. We hope to have key resources posted to this page for use in early November 2025.
Share your story:
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Canada’s Guidance on Alcohol and Health — Impact Survey
We are collecting real stories from people in Canada about their experiences with Canada’s Guidance on Alcohol and Health (CGAH).
We would like to know how learning about CGAH has changed or impacted your drinking habits or beliefs. Whether your changes are big or small, your perspective is valuable!
CCSA will use the information you share with us in several ways to help promote the importance and impact of the guidance.
Now Available!
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Workplaces and Substance Use Infographic Series
This series looks at the effects of substance use health in the workplace.
The four industries studied for this series are:
- Natural resources (oil and gas, forestry, and Mining Industries)
- Construction
- Safety-sensitive positions (e.g., airline pilots, heavy equipment operators, medical practitioners).
- Non–safety-sensitive positions (e.g., office staff, retail clerks, bank managers).
Each series of infographics examines four key areas: Use and perceptions, workplace culture, stigma, and policies and training.
Save the Date
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Monthly Drug Checking Office Hours
Drop in virtually every second Tuesday of the month from 1 to 2 p.m. ET for Drug Checking Office Hours. Connect with experts from the National Drug Checking Working Group, ask questions, and explore the latest in drug checking practices and tools.
INTRODUCING
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Subscribe to the CCENDU Newsletter
CCSA co-ordinates with the Canadian Community Epidemiology Network on Drug Use (CCENDU) to publish this newsletter, Substance Use Trends in Canada. It informs people living in Canada about emerging substance use issues and trends, pulling from a variety of information sources.
Subscribe to receive key info on drug trends right to your inbox!
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Partner with CCSA
Latest CCSA Updates
Canada Gets its First National Guidance on AI for Mental and Substance Use Health
Ottawa (October 14, 2025): In a first-of-its-kind initiative, national guidance for using artificial intelligence (AI) in the mental and substance use health field is being…
Ottawa (October 14, 2025): In a first-of-its-kind initiative, national guidance for using artificial intelligence (AI) in the mental and substance use health field is being…
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Guidance, Tools and Resources
CCSA produces research-based publications, tools, and resources to support evidence-based decision-making on substance use health issues. Select your area of interest from the six categories below:
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Substances
Delve into key resources on commonly used substances, such as alcohol, cannabis, opioids, stimulants and psychedelics. Learn about their effects, usage patterns, associated health and social consequences, and harm reduction considerations
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Personal and Societal Impacts
Get insights on the personal and societal impacts of substance use and addiction , including gambling and impaired driving, and their effects on health, safety, and social well-being. Learn about effective prevention and harm-reduction strategies in various sectors.
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Communities
Communities share common interests, values or goals, and interact with one another to build relationships and help networks. These materials support more inclusive, equitable, and community-informed responses to substance use and addiction. Dive into resources highlighting people with lived and living experience, stigma, sex- and gender-based analysis, Indigenous Peoples, and housing.
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Treatment and Prevention
Explore medical, psychological, and social approaches aimed at helping individuals avoid or recover from substance use disorders. Get the facts on public health topics and learn about collaborative efforts to reduce stigma and promote more equitable, inclusive responses to substance use.
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Youth
Learn about factors influencing substance use in young people, including childhood trauma and brain development, and get tools to support adult allies in leading meaningful, evidence-informed conversations with youth. Content promotes early prevention, harm reduction and supportive environments for youth up to age 25.
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Substance Use and the Workplace
Substance use has a significant impact on the workplace, potentially affecting safety, productivity and employee well-being. Explore research on substance use in various industries. Resources support workplace leaders in building more supportive, stigma-free environments through practical strategies, improved approaches and initiative-taking education.
