How We Work
To deliver on our national mandate on substance use health, our team is divided into streams. Streams are composed of knowledge brokers, researchers and project co-ordinators, and they cover five areas of focus. The five streams are:
Data as Power
Through this stream, CCSA is creating a national evidence base with the most up-to-date data on early warning and substance use trends in the substance use field. The data are unique and complementary to existing data sources but provide the context necessary for data-driven policies and public information.
Developing Tomorrow
The purpose of this stream is to develop meaningful engagement with partners and communities to influence, shape, and design strategic programs of activity. The overall outcome is to influence policy and practice, calls to action and actionable recommendations.
Innovation and Evidence in Practice
This stream focuses on developing and disseminating evidence on policies, programs and practices to strengthen knowledge, training, services and supports in diverse settings.
Prevent and Health Promotion
This stream aims to address issues related to the prevention and health promotion for legal psychoactive substances and problematic gambling. The overarching goal is to ensure that people living in Canada experience as little harm as possible.
Quality and Accountability
This stream seeks to build collaboration across the health sector with particular focus on non-specialty services such as primary care services, emergency departments and mental health services.
Heading
What Is the Accountability Framework?
The Accountability Framework is a self-assessment tool that we use to measure the impact of a stream and its projects and initiatives.
The framework consists of ten fundamental elements. Infusing these elements into our work lays a foundation for ensuring impactful results and comprehensive change in substance use health.
Although there are areas of overlap, the elements are primarily divided into our four Quadrants of Culture. The four quadrants summarize the transformation needed to move the needle on issues of substance.
Select one of the four Quadrants of Culture to learn more:
Heading
Culture of Adaptability
Heading
Culture of Collaboration
Heading
Culture of Respect, Equity and Compassion
Heading
Culture of Transparency
Heading
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 categories below to learn more:
Heading
Substances
CCSA produces a variety of substance use- and addiction-related publications for researchers, policy makers and health service providers. We provide guidance to decision makers through harnessing the power of research, collecting and organizing knowledge, and bringing together diverse perspectives.
Heading
Health and Public Safety
CCSA conducts research, develops tools and resources, and produces targeted materials to support evidence-based decisions and public policy. Review our key resources on health and public safety in relation to substance use health and addiction issues.
Heading
People and Communities
CCSA is dedicated to the health and well-being of individuals and communities, focusing on the impact of substance use across the lifespan, the perspectives of people with lived experience, and the roles of stigma, sex and gender, and educators in substance use health.
