National Addictions Awareness Week (NAAW) highlights ways to address harms from alcohol and other drugs. It’s an opportunity for people in Canada to learn more about prevention and harm reduction, talk about treatment and recovery, and discuss solutions for change.
The future dates for NAAW are:
- November 1 to 7, 2026
- October 31 to November 6, 2027
- October 29 to November 4, 2028
We will release more details about NAAW 2026, including the theme, on our website later this summer.
Stay tuned!
Disclaimer
CCSA understands that each person who uses substances has their own experiences, perspectives and preferred language. We appreciate that the term “addiction” can be stigmatizing for some people and an important point of discussion for other people. Our goal is to raise awareness about substance use health, addiction and people who use substances to improve people’s health and well-being.
The discussion around NAAW can be emotionally challenging. We encourage people to reach out for help or get support in these conversations.
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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.
