Canadian Substance Use Costs and Harms study (CSUCH), June 2026:
Healthcare Impacts Related to Substance Use in Canada
Wednesday, June 17, 2026, 12-1 p.m. ET
Featuring:
- Dr. Anat Ziv, Lead CSUCH Researcher; Research and Policy Analyst
- Dr. Adam Sherk, CCSA Senior Scientist and Special Policy Advisor; adjunct associate professor, University of Victoria’s School of Public Health and Social Policy
Learn about the Canadian Substance Use Costs and Harms (CSUCH) study, an evidence-based project that publishes ongoing estimates of the economic burden and harms related to substance use. Explore the data on healthcare impacts and costs, and discover how it can help policymakers, healthcare system planners and public health professionals make more informed decisions to reduce harms and improve responses.
Small Cities Initiative, May 2026:
Introduction to Brain Story Training — Science to Strengthen Communities
Wednesday, May 27, 2026, 1-2 p.m. ET
Featuring: Nancy Mannix, Palix Foundation Chair and Patron
Explore how early experiences shape brain architecture and influence outcomes such as mental health, substance use, and resilience across the lifespan. This webinar highlights the Alberta Family Wellness Initiative’s Brain Story training — a free, self-paced online learning program that translates decades of neuroscience into practical knowledge about brain development, stress, resilience, and lifelong health.
Small Cities Initiative, March 2026:
Understanding Drug Checking Data for Local Solutions
Friday, March 27, 2026, 1-2 p.m. ET
Featuring:
- Courtney Harrop, Housing Support Coordinator, Tla’amin Nation
- David Byres, Training Coordinator, British Columbia Centre on Substance Use Drug Checking Program
- Jarred Aasen, Registered Pharmacist; Program Consultant, Saskatchewan Health Authority; Co-chair, National Drug Checking Working Group
- Karen McDonald, Executive Director, Toronto's Drug Checking Service
- Tessa Rogers, Harm Reduction Project Manager, P.E.E.R.S Alliance
Drug checking involves the systematic analysis of unregulated drug samples to identify their chemical contents, including contaminants such as fentanyl, benzodiazepines, and other substances increasingly present in the unregulated drug supply. Learn all about our drug checking resources, part of our evidence-informed suite of substance use surveillance tools.
Small Cities Initiative, January 2026:
National Wastewater Drug Surveillance (NWDS) Initiative: Helping Canadian Cities Respond to the Drug Crisis
Featuring: Samantha Lancione, Senior Analyst, Health Canada
English: Tuesday, January 27, 2026, 1–2 p.m. ET
French: Wednesday, January 28, 2026, 12–1 p.m. ET
Learn how this initiative is helping communities better understand their local drug supply and provide insights into emerging drug trends. NWDS is enhancing how Canada detects and understands the illegal drug market by analyzing wastewater for over 600 substances. This session will also highlight opportunities for municipal participation and the benefits of taking part in this national initiative.
