CCSA and U.S. Embassy Host 6th Cross-Country Speaking Series Event

Ottawa, August 28, 2018 — The Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction (CCSA) and the United States Embassy in Ottawa will host an expert forum to address the opioid crisis in Halifax on September 14, 2018.

The sixth event in a cross-Canada speaker series to share knowledge related to the opioid crisis, Addressing the Opioid Crisis: Lessons Learned from the United States will bring experts from the U.S. to share their experiences, learnings and solutions related to the opioid crisis. Joining them is a local expert who will bring the Canadian perspective.

In 2016, there were 2,816 reported opioid-related deaths in Canada, and public health experts estimate the total lives lost in 2017 will exceed 4,000 when final data is available. CCSA research also estimates the cost of harms of opioid use in Canada at about $3.5 billion annually.

Behind these numbers are Canadians families struggling against the devastating impacts of this crisis. Addiction affects us all, and by working together with our American counterparts, we can learn from their experiences to help prevent further tragedy and turn the corner on this crisis.

The event will be held from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. in Harbour Suites at the Westin Nova Scotian Hotel, 1181 Hollis Street, Halifax, Nova Scotia, and will include discussions among the panel and with the audience about how ongoing work on the opioid crisis in the U.S. can informs current efforts in Canada.

Confirmed panelists include Dr. Jennifer Clarke, Associate Professor of Medicine, Alpert Medical School, Brown University, and Kristen Paquette, CEO, Center for Social Innovation (C4).