CCSA’s Issues of Substance Conference
Conference Registration is now open!
Immerse yourself with up to 1,000 expected attendees in three full days of learning at CCSA’s Issues of Substance. With over 120 presentations scheduled to take place, there are plenty of opportunities to share knowledge, collaborate and help shape the future of substance use health during this most crucial time. Don’t miss it! Join us November 17–19 at the Halifax Convention Centre.
Be Part of the Future in Halifax!
By the Numbers
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Did you know?
CCSA’s Issues of Substance conference truly is a coast-to-coast-to-coast event. And more people are coming from academia, harm reduction, public health, policy development, treatment and recovery, including people with lived and living experience of substance use (PLLE).
70%
800+
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Save the Date
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Monthly Drug Checking Office Hours
Drop in virtually every second Tuesday of the month from 1 to 2 p.m. ET for Drug Checking Office Hours. Connect with experts from the National Drug Checking Working Group, ask questions, and explore the latest in drug checking practices and tools.
Recently at CCSA
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Bringing Our Small Cities Initiative to Europe
We were thrilled to be part of the Shaping the Future: Preparedness for a Changing Drug Landscape session in March 2025 at the United Nations Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND) event. It was cohosted by the European Union Drugs Agency and the U.N. Office on Drugs and Crime. We shared our Small Cities Initiative and our upcoming Municipal Leaders Table with colleagues from the United Kingdom, Iceland, Nigeria, Norway and across the European Union
Get the Facts
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Involuntary Treatment
You may have heard of involuntary treatment for severe substance use disorders, but what is it, really? Does it help people? Does it help communities? Check out our evidence brief and poster for answers to these questions. Have conversations empowered by facts.
Sneak Peak
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Substance Use and the Workplace Infographic Series
We are developing a substance use and the workplace infographic series. This series looks at the effects of substance use health in the workplace.
The four industries studied for this series are:
- Natural resources (oil and gas, forestry, and Mining Industries)
- Construction
- Safety-sensitive positions (e.g., airline pilots, heavy equipment operators, medical practitioners)
- Non–safety-sensitive positions (e.g., office staff, retail clerks, bank managers)
Each series of infographics examines four key areas: Use and perceptions, workplace culture, stigma, and policies and training.
Look for the release of this infographic series in summer 2025.
Implementing Workforce Competencies Across Canada
Our partners have shared that the workforce competencies are an incredibly important, trustworthy, evidence-informed resource for the substance use workforce. They are being used nationally, in British Columbia, Alberta, Ontario, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick to inform roles and scope of practice, job postings, onboarding programs, advocacy tools, and professional development.
CCSA developed competencies for physicians, nurses and nurse practitioners to increase the volume of prescribers who feel competent to address substance use health concerns, and to support the standardization of quality care across Canada. CCSA continues to support implementation of the competencies, most recently at a new treatment centre in Winnipeg, and to inform an Inuit-led approach to workforce development for a new treatment centre in Iqaluit.
INTRODUCING
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Subscribe to the CCENDU Newsletter
CCSA co-ordinates with the Canadian Community Epidemiology Network on Drug Use (CCENDU) to publish this newsletter, Substance Use Trends in Canada. It informs people living in Canada about emerging substance use issues and trends, pulling from a variety of information sources.
Subscribe to receive key info on drug trends right to your inbox!
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Issue 5: Atypical Opioid-Related Overdose Presentations
This issue features a regional breakdown of reports from four CCENDU sites and three drug checking services across the country. It focuses on the presence of atypical opioid-related overdose presentations, like jaw and muscle rigidity (stiff posturing), seizures and dyskinesia (involuntary muscle movement). It also discusses implications for first responders and emergency medical services, clinicians, people who use drugs and policy makers.
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Issue 4: Fentanyl Analogues
Fentanyl analogues are synthetic opioids similar to fentanyl, often illegally produced with unknown potency and risks. Frequently found in the unregulated drug supply, they are sometimes unintentionally consumed, increasing the risk of drug poisoning, especially when mixed with other adulterants like nonmedical benzodiazepines and xylazine.
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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 categories below to learn more:
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Substances
CCSA produces a variety of substance use- and addiction-related publications for researchers, policy makers and health service providers. We provide guidance to decision makers through harnessing the power of research, collecting and organizing knowledge, and bringing together diverse perspectives.
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Health and Public Safety
CCSA conducts research, develops tools and resources, and produces targeted materials to support evidence-based decisions and public policy. Review our key resources on health and public safety in relation to substance use health and addiction issues.
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People and Communities
CCSA is dedicated to the health and well-being of individuals and communities, focusing on the impact of substance use across the lifespan, the perspectives of people with lived experience, and the roles of stigma, sex and gender, and educators in substance use health.
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CCSA News
and Updates
Visit this page for our latest news and publications.
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CCSA Events
Learn about our upcoming and past events!
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CCSA Publications
CCSA produces a variety of substance use- and addiction-related publications for researchers, policy makers and health service providers. Browse our publications!
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Canadian Data Trends
CCSA provides up-to-date statistics on substance use, trends, and consequences to support evidence-informed decisions and harm reduction. We synthesize national data from various sources to offer a comprehensive overview.
