Managing Substance Use and the Workplace Workshop

Practical training for safer, healthier and more supportive workplaces 

Would you know what to do if: 

  • You thought a worker might be unfit to work? 
  • Substance use is affecting safety, attendance, or performance at your workplace? 
  • Someone was returning to work following treatment? 
  • A worker disclosed a substance use concern and asked for help? 
  • Your organization wasn't sure whether its substance use policy reflected current evidence and good practice? 

When substance use affects the workplace, managers and leaders need to know what to do, and what not to do. Whether substance use is problematic, occasional or for medical reasons, this two-day, evidence- informed workshop gives participants practical skills and resources to recognize concerns, respond appropriately, reduce risks, and support workers. 

In this section:

What you will learn
What attendees are saying
Who should attend this workshop?
Upcoming Workshop Dates
Register for our workshop
Bring our workshop to you!
Male industrial worker in orange safety gear and white helmet turning a large red valve on a rusted pipe system outdoors.

Did you know?

Between 23% and 47% of workers in safety-sensitive positions said they used a substance immediately before or during work, or felt high or hungover at work. 

Forestry worker wearing orange jacket and red helmet cutting logs with a chainsaw in a dense forest.

Did you know?

Substance use can present unique challenges where impairment or reduced fitness for work could put workers, coworkers or the public at risk. Our workshop explores how organizations can balance safety, worker well-being, legal considerations and appropriate support. 

Chef preparing a dish while other cooks work in the background.

Did You know?

This is a workshop A workshop for all industries!
Beneficial for all sectors. Professionals from the following industries have attended our workshops: 

  • Law enforcement
  • Nuclear power
  • Mining
  • Substance use treatment providers
  • Government 
  • Public health
  • Tourism
  • Consulting

What you will learn

Presented by a team using evidence-based expertise in workplace and substance use challenges, our workshop is designed to provide hands-on practice, resources and practical strategies to help leaders improve approaches to reducing risks of substance use and the workplace.

This workshop will help you:

  • Identify and reduce workplace-related substance use risk factors;
  • Strengthen workplace policies, worker support options and return-to-work plans;
  • Develop skills to recognize when something might not be right and practice effective responses; and
  • Better understand legal responsibilities, stigma, and effective prevention strategies.

This course is accredited for members of the Canadian Addiction Counsellors Certification Federation (CACCF) for 16 continuing education units (CEU).

decorative

What attendees are saying:

“Excellent seminar that owners, CEOs, presidents and executives should attend and participate in.”  - Workshop attendee

Man gives presentation at workshop

What attendees are saying:

“This was my first in-person conference [workshop] with the CCSA. We have always been grateful for them as a resource. Learning how much more we can grow with their support and knowledge from this conference [workshop] is amazing. Thank you, CCSA!” - Workshop attendee

group photo of training staff for the workshop.

What attendees are saying:

“Really enjoy this training. Love multiple trainers and the way information was shared.” - Workshop attendee

Woman gives presentation at workshop

What attendees are saying:

“This workshop does an excellent job of building an understanding of the importance of clear policy.” - Workshop attendee

decorative

What attendees are saying:

“This was a beneficial and engaging workshop that provided education and resources to share within our own organizations.” - Workshop attendee

Woman gives presentation at workshop

What attendees are saying:

"A comprehensive look at the subject, with some tangible actions and tools that can be implemented in the organization."   - Workshop Attendee

 

Who should attend this workshop?   

Our workshop will benefit: 

  • Managers and supervisors
  • Individuals in organization leadership roles
  • Union representatives
  • Human resources and related positions in both safety-sensitive (e.g., construction, mining) and non–safety-sensitive industries (e.g., offices, retail)

  • Occupational health and safety professionals 

     

Upcoming Workshop Dates: 

Halifax 
November 24-25, 2026
The Hollis Halifax – a DoubleTree Suites by Hilton 
1649 Hollis Street 
Halifax, Nova Scotia B3J 1V8

Registration deadline: October 31, 2026 

Edmonton 
January 27-28, 2027
Courtyard by Marriott Edmonton Downtown
1 Thornton Court
Edmonton, Alberta T5J 2E7

Registration deadline: January 5, 2027

Cost:  $849 per participant

Your registration includes: 

  • 2 days of hands-on training (8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.) from a team of experts, featuring hands-on learning, case studies, discussions, includingand learning how to: 
    • Observe and document concerns without diagnosing or making assumptions 
    • Start a difficult conversation with a worker 
    • Respond when safety may be at risk 
    • Reduce stigma while maintaining workplace expectations 
    • Support return to work and accommodation 
    • Apply learning to realistic workplace scenarios
  • Coursebook
  • USB and additional resources 
  • Networking and learning from others 
  • Lunch 
  • Morning snack 
  • Refreshments  
     

Register Now!

Questions

For any questions or inquiries about the workshop, please contact workplace@ccsa.ca. 

Thank you.

Register for our Workshop

  • Workshop details
  • Payment details
Please note that all workshops will be offered in English.
Chosen workshop

Chosen workshop
Dietary restrictions
Please note that CCSA will make every effort to accommodate all dietary restrictions, though we may not be able to meet all considerations. 
Managing Substance Use and the Workplace Workshop - Terms and Conditions

This agreement is between me (the "Contact") and the following parties—Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction (the "Organization" or "Data Controller") and their associated management software providers, collectively referred to as the "Parties."

 

I understand that I will be submitting personal information to the Organization for the purpose of either:

 

• participating in the Organization’s s workshop as a speaker, or

• attending the Organization’s workshop as a registered attendee.

 

I understand that once I submit my personal information as part of the registration process, I become a Contact in the Organization’s database and the Organization will have the right to retain my personal information, which may include, without limitation, my name, email, contact information, company or institution, job title or other information, or documents which the Organization may ask for from time to time ("Data").

 

I acknowledge that no data transmission or storage system is 100% secure and consent to submitting this Data and becoming a Contact of my own free will. I understand that, at any time, I may withdraw my consent and upon doing so, all of my personal identifiable information will be deleted by the Data Controller from all servers, databases and records. However, any Data published prior to the withdrawal of my consent, whether online, in mobile apps, print or other media, will remain as published.

 

I understand that (i) my personal information is being collected for the purposes of processing my registration and communicating with me about this event; and (ii) the personal information I provide will be protected under the provisions of the CCSA Website Privacy Notice.

 

I further agree that I will not initiate any legal action against any Parties associated with the transmission and storage of Data including the Data Processor, Data Controller (as defined in the EU General Data Protection Regulations) or the data storage facility for any accidental loss, destruction, alteration or unauthorized disclosure such Data.

Managing Substance Use and the Workplace Workshop - Refund Policy

Thank you for registering for the Managing Substance Use and the Workplace Workshop. We understand that circumstances may change, and we strive to accommodate refund requests as fairly  and quickly as possible.

 

Please review our refund policy below.


1. Cancellation Requests
 

All cancellation requests must be submitted in writing via email to workplace@ccsa.ca
 

2. Refund Schedule


• Full Refund: Cancellations received 21 days or more before the workshop start date will receive a 100% refund.
• Partial Refund: Cancellations received 3–20 days before the workshop start date will receive a 50% refund.
• No Refund: Cancellations made 3 days or less before the workshop start date are non-refundable.
 

3. Substitutions
 

If you are unable to attend, you may transfer your registration to another individual by notifying us at least 3 days before the event. Substitution requests must include the name and contact details of the replacement attendee.
 

4. Event Cancellation
 

In the unlikely event that the workshop is cancelled by the organizers, registrants will be offered a full refund. If the event is postponed, registration will be automatically transferred to the new date. If you are unable to attend the rescheduled event, you may request a full refund.
 

5. No-Shows
 

Registrants who do not attend the event and do not provide prior notice will not be eligible for a refund.
 

6. Force Majeure
 

We are not liable for refunds due to cancellation or modification of the workshop caused by events beyond our control, including but not limited to natural disasters, pandemics, travel restrictions or government regulations.
 

Bring our workshop to you!

We can also bring sour Substance Use and the Workplace Workshop to your organization if you have a team of people who you would like to take the training or if you would like something more tailored to your context. 

Bringing the workshop directly to you reduces travel costs for your teams. We also manage the logistical aspects (materials, location, catering and AV set-up).

Contact workplace@ccsa.ca for questions or to book your private on-site workshop now!
 

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
Learn more

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.
Learn more

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.
Learn more

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.
Learn more

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.
Learn more

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.
Learn more