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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Select a category:

Impaired Driving

Impaired driving is a major cause of serious crashes in Canada, with alcohol and drug impairment posing significant risks. CCSA addresses this issue through research, tools and resources to support evidence-based decisions and public policy.

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Gambling

Gambling is legal in Canada, but it carries potential risks for some individuals. CCSA conducts research and develops resources to help people make informed, responsible gambling choices, especially in high-risk situations.

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Get to know our team of experts

Bryce Barker, PhD, CE

Senior Knowledge Broker

Area of Expertise:

  • Alcohol
  • Youth
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Doug Beirness, MSc, PhD

Senior Research Associate

Area of Expertise:

  • Impaired Driving
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Heather Burke

Research and Policy Analyst

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Alexander Caudarella, MDCM CCFP AM ABAM(d)

CEO

Area of Expertise:

  • Harm Reduction
  • Opioids
  • Recovery
  • Treatment
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Karen Cumberland, MPA

Vice President, Strategic Initiatives and Community Outreach​

Area of Expertise:

  • Mental Health
  • Policy
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Chealsea De Moor, MA

Knowledge Broker

Area of Expertise:

  • Cannabis
  • Impaired Driving
  • 2SLGBTQ+
  • Youth
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Timothy Deloughery, CCAC, CCS-AC

Substance Use Health Specialist

Area of Expertise:

  • Harm Reduction
  • Lived and Living Experience
  • Stigma
  • Treatment
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Robert Gabrys, PhD

Senior Research and Policy Analyst

Area of Expertise:

  • Cannabis
  • Mental Health
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François Gagnon, PhD

Senior Scientist and Special Policy Advisor

Area of Expertise:

  • Alcohol
  • Cannabis
  • Gambling
  • Harm Reduction
  • Policy
  • More Area of Expertise
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Keep informed with Addiction News Daily and the CCENDU newsletter, alerts, and bulletins

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Browse the CCSA Network of Websites

CCSA's Issues of Substance Conference

This biannual, national conference brings together people from across the country, including addiction workers, healthcare professionals, researchers, policy makers, and people with lived and living experience
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Canadian Substance Use Costs and Harms

This project provides comparable and up-to-date data on the costs and harms of substance use in Canada and allows people to explore and analyze the data through its data visualization tool.
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Workforce Competencies

CCSA developed measurable technical and behaviour competencies in knowledge, skills and values for the substance use workforce, providing consistent care across the wide range of settings.
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Drink Less Live More

Canada has new guidance on alcohol and your health. CCSA wants you to be able to make the most informed decisions you can about drinking alcohol.
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Lower Risk Gambling Guidelines

Learn about the world’s first Lower-Risk Gambling Guidelines to help people in Canada make informed decisions about their gambling and lessen their risk of gambling-related harms. Use the Interactive Risk Assessment Tool to assess your personal gambling choices.
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The Highway Home

This interactive website takes an experiential approach to increasing youth’s and young drivers’ awareness of the risks and harms of drug-impaired driving, using real-life scenarios involving cannabis use and driving.
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