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.
Prevention 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.
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What Is the Accountability Framework?
The Accountability Framework Self Assessment Tool is designed to assess the degree to which the foundational elements for achieving impact are integrated into the work of streams and divisions.
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.
The fundamental elements are built upon the four Quadrants of Culture. The four quadrants summarize the transformation needed to move the needle on issues of substance.
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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.
