In Case You Missed It
Webinar
In partnership with CATIE (Canadian AIDS Treatment Information Exchange), CCSA presented the webinar: Monitoring and Responding to the Unregulated Drug Supply. As Canada continues to face a toxic drug crisis, this session explored the challenges of an unpredictable drug supply and how drug checking programs and community initiatives can support frontline responses. The webinar featured experts from CCSA, Toronto’s Drug Checking Service and Ontario’s Drug Checking Community, PEEP (Peer Engagement and Evaluation Project), and Streetworks.
Coming up
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Tackling Substance Use Crises with Community Power
The work started with the Timmins Summit continues! We’re building a Municipal Leaders Table of mayors from smaller Canadian cities to work on regional solutions for the toxic drug crisis. We have representatives from 18 regions across Canada, from British Columbia to Newfoundland and Labrador. We’re hosting virtual sessions to review a playbook of options communities can adapt to their area, leading up to an in-person event this April. See you soon, Lethbridge!
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.
By the Numbers
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Did you know?
CCSA’s Issues of Substance continues to be a great place for collaboration and information sharing. Here are a few highlights from a post-conference survey of attendees.
97%
87%
86%
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 1: Counterfeit Pharmaceuticals
Counterfeit pharmaceuticals, often indistinguishable from authentic medications, are increasingly prevalent in the unregulated drug supply. These fake opioids and benzodiazepines may contain more potent ingredients, posing serious health risks.
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Issue 2: Medetomidine
Medetomidine, a veterinary tranquilizer similar to xylazine but stronger and longer-lasting, is increasingly found in the unregulated drug supply. While dexmedetomidine is approved for human use, distinguishing between the two is challenging, leading experts to believe medetomidine is the primary substance detected.
A table containing the links to all media mentions is available on our website.
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Issue 3: Nonmedical Benzodiazepines
Nonmedical benzodiazepines, including illegally produced or diverted substances, continue to appear in the unregulated drug supply, increasing risks for people who use drugs. These central nervous system depressants, including prescription and novel forms, have sedative effects and are monitored in this issue.
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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.
