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Our Mission and Purpose

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An act of Parliament created CCSA in 1988. Rooted in compassion, we provide national leadership not only on substance use health issues but also on strengthening public and community safety. Our mandate is to improve the lives of people in Canada who use substances while ensuring safer communities for all.

Our Vision for the Future

Our Vision for the Future

Our vision is simple: A healthier Canadian society where evidence transforms approaches to substance use health. In all our activities, our overarching goal is improving wellness for people experiencing the harms of substance use.

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What we offer

How CCSA is Unique

As the only national organization in Canada mandated to address both the health and public safety aspects of substance use, our work aims to address alcohol- and other drug-related harms through a balanced approach that prioritizes both individual and collective well-being.

Positioned at the intersection of government, not-for-profit organizations, public health and industry, we work collaboratively to create impactful, balanced solutions. As an honest broker in this polarized time, we bring together diverse insights to ensure that both health and safety are at the forefront of the conversation.

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Accountability Framework

From Insights to Impact

Reporting to the federal minister of health, we work with experts and collaborate with partners to develop evidence-informed projects, fostering knowledge exchange where research guides policy and practice. Staff are divided into streams, which are composed of knowledge brokers, researchers and project co-ordinators to address our national priorities.

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Interested in a new challenge?

Working at CCSA

Working at CCSA offers a unique opportunity to make a meaningful impact while building valuable skills. The work of our employees focuses on serving communities, advancing improvements within substance use health and driving social change. Our work environment is collaborative, values-driven and resourceful, offering employees both challenges and deeply rewarding experiences. We also know how to have a little fun too! For individuals seeking a purposeful career, CCSA provides the chance to align passion with profession and make a difference every day.

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CCSA team

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Our Process and Organizational Journey

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As an organization that conducts science and research, CCSA is dedicated to learning. As a learning organization, we are humbled by how much more we need to learn and understand from First Nations, Métis and Inuit. We hope that through our partnerships and engagement with Indigenous organizations that what we learn can help improve the work we produce.

CCSA is committed to organization-wide learning about racism, colonization and injustices experienced by Indigenous people as well as about reconciliation, accessibility, equity and inclusion.

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Land Acknowledgement

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Our organization’s journey

People Behind CCSA

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Meet the Team

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CCSA is run by a group of passionate, dedicated professionals with different areas of expertise. Our Board, leadership team and subject matter experts are key players in governing CCSA, achieving our strategic goals and providing exceptional expertise on substance use health and addictions.

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Board of Directors

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Our dedicated 13 volunteer Board members are responsible for governing CCSA.

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Leadership Team

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This team is the driving force behind our strategic goals and developing our strategic direction.

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Experts

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Connect with our team of professionals on almost any topic related to substance use health and addictions.

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The Substance Use Experience Collective

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Insights from people with lived and living experience with substance use are unique and vital to our work. We work with this group to reduce stigma and create long-term partnerships.

Featured Resource

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Forging Connections, Igniting Change - CCSA 2023-2024 Annual Report

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Outlines CCSA’s activities in fiscal year 2023–2024 and provides the auditor’s report. It showcases how, with our partners, we created inclusive spaces for people with different perspectives and backgrounds to connect, identify common ground and move forward together to find solutions for substance use a health issues.

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2024 Annual Report Banner