Developing evidence-based public policy is essential for effectively addressing substance use and addiction. CCSA supports this by providing research and expertise, and fostering partnerships to inform decision making. By combining evidence, collaboration, and a focus on health and social equity, CCSA helps create policies that promote public health and safety.
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Policy Briefs and Reports
A policy brief is a concise summary of an issue, presenting policy options and evidence-based recommendations to assist policy makers. CCSA uses policy briefs as a key tool to support informed policy development on substance use and addiction.
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Parliamentary Engagement
As Canada’s leading authority on substance use and addiction, CCSA provides expert guidance while maintaining an independent relationship with the government. By increasing awareness of evidence and best practices, CCSA helps policy makers, professionals and the public address substance-related harms.
Policy and the Regulation of Legal Cannabis
With the federal legalization of cannabis products, each province and territory is responsible for developing its own regulations for sales and distribution. They can add additional restrictions to the legislation. For example, provinces and territories can increase the age of access. Municipalities can also pass bylaws to further regulate the use of cannabis in their local community.
We developed an interactive map to provide a summary of the provincial and territorial cannabis regulations.
Featured Resource
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Policy Brief: Updating the Provisions for Hospitals and Practitioners in Regulations Under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act
This submission to Health Canada’s Controlled Substances and Overdose Response Directorate highlights the need to align regulations with modern substance use healthcare practices. Key points include expanding controlled substance activities beyond hospitals, updating regulations to reflect shifts in healthcare delivery and authorizing more healthcare professionals to provide care.
Get to know our team of experts
Bryce Barker, PhD, CE
Senior Knowledge Broker
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Doug Beirness, MSc, PhD
Senior Research Associate
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Alexander Caudarella, MDCM CCFP AM ABAM(d)
CEO
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Karen Cumberland, MPA
Vice President, Strategic Initiatives and Community Outreach
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Timothy Deloughery, CCAC, CCS-AC
Substance Use Health Specialist
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Robert Gabrys, PhD
Senior Research and Policy Analyst
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François Gagnon, PhD
Senior Scientist and Special Policy Advisor
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- More Area of Expertise
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Latest CCSA Updates
Our Response: Why economists should like booze
As a research scientist in epidemiology and health economics, with a focus on alcohol and other substances, I found your article comparing alcohol non-users to free-riders to be light on fact and…
As a research scientist in epidemiology and health economics, with a focus on alcohol and other substances, I found your article comparing alcohol non-users to free-riders to be light on fact and…
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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.
