Fundamental elements for this quadrant include:
Meaningful Engagement of Lived and Living Experience
People and the communities they are a part of are deeply impacted by the systems that drive and influence their health. However, they are often not included in the process to create or restructure programs and policies designed to help them. Policies and programs must be driven by communities so that efforts remain connected to the people they intend to serve, enhancing the influence and effectiveness of policies and programs. Meaningful engagement of people and communities with lived and living experience serves as a powerful vehicle for bringing about changes that will improve the health of the community and its members.
Anticipating Future National Needs (National Relevance)
In Canada’s decentralized health system, our role is to build partnerships to support essential health system functions and facilitate mobilization and collaboration on priority issues. CCSA’s projects are relevant to pan-Canadian questions and objectives and are national in scope.
Continuous Improvement
Continuous improvement is the ongoing process of analyzing performance, identifying opportunities for enhancement, and making incremental changes. By analyzing and fine-tuning CCSA’s processes, programs and services, we become increasingly efficient in delivering on our mandate and make a greater impact within the communities we serve. (Note: Continuous improvement overlaps into Culture of Transparency)
Learn more about the other three Quadrants of Culture:
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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.
