CCSA Signs MOU with Planet Youth

The Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction (CCSA), represented by its Chief of Strategy and Community Engagement Karen Cumberland, and Planet Youth, represented by its CEO Páll Melsted Ríkharðsson, have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to enhance collaboration.

Both our organizations have a mutual interest in promoting and protecting youth rights and well-being. The MOU outlines how we will work together to enhance prevention strategies while equipping communities and decision makers to reduce harms related to substance use.

It is widely recognized that substance use can have a negative impact on the social, health and economic well-being of people across the globe. Effective multi-level partnerships between research, service and practice, policy, governmental and non-governmental organizations can inform the development of leading-edge research, policies and programs that reduce the harms associated with substances such as alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs and promote the health and well-being of people.

CCSA and Planet Youth will focus on:

• Cross promoting evidence-based resources and encouraging knowledge exchange
• Using shared networks to expand reach and learning in local, national and international arenas 
• Co-developing additional resources and collaborating on data-driven initiatives  

CCSA was established by an act of Parliament in 1988 to provide national leadership and evidence-informed analysis and advice to reduce the harms of substance use in Canada.

Planet Youth is a global organization supporting communities to create healthier environments for young people that offer a structured, data-driven approach rooted in the experience of Iceland where youth substance use rates were once among the highest in Europe—and are now among the lowest.