Drug Checking
Helping people understand what their drugs contain may help them make decisions that reduce the risk of harm. Drugs from the unregulated supply often contain unexpected added substances and unpredictable dosages that can result in different effects than an individual may expect, including overdose. Get to know the facts about drug checking.
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Drug Checking
Explains what drug checking is, what it does and how it helps people. Also addresses how drug checking benefits communities and explores public concerns about it. This brief is part of a series we created to help people and communities understand complex responses to support substance use health.
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Drug Checking Poster
Summarizes our Drug Checking Evidence Brief, which explains what drug checking is and how it helps people. Also addresses how drug checking benefits communities and explores public concerns about it. This poster is part of a series we created to help people and communities understand complex responses to support substance use health.
Opioid Agonist Therapy
Opioid agonist therapy (O.A.T.) is a way to support people in achieving their health and well-being goals with the help of medication. For some, the goal may be to stop using opioids completely. For others, it may be to reduce their use. Get to know the facts about O.A.T.
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Opioid Agonist Therapy
Explains what opioid agonist therapy (OAT) is, what it does and how it helps people. Also addresses how OAT benefits communities and explores public concerns about it. This brief is part of a series we created to help people and communities understand complex responses to support substance use health.
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Opioid Agonist Therapy Poster
Summarizes our Opioid Agonist Therapy (OAT) Evidence Brief, which explains what OAT is and how it helps people. Also addresses how OAT benefits communities and explores public concerns about it. This poster is part of a series we created to help people and communities understand complex responses to support substance use health.
Supervised Consumption Sites
Supervised consumption sites (SCSs) provide a supportive and connected environment for people who use substances. Between January 2016 and March 2024, more than 47,000 people in Canada died because of the unregulated drug supply. Evidence-based supports – like SCSs – that consider the needs of different groups and communities can help reduce harms and save lives. Get to know the facts about SCSs.
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Supervised Consumption Sites
Explains what supervised consumption sites (SCSs) are, what they do and how they help people. Also addresses how SCSs benefit communities and explores public concerns about them. This brief is part of a series we created to help people and communities understand complex responses to support substance use health.
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Supervised Consumption Sites Poster
Summarizes our Supervised Consumption Sites (SCSs) Evidence Brief, which explains what SCSs are and how they help people. Also addresses how SCSs benefit communities and explores public concerns about them. This poster is part of a series we created to help people and communities understand complex responses to support substance use health.
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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.
