People and Communities
CCSA is committed to the health and well-being of people and communities. We focus on how substance use affects people from childhood to adulthood, the insights of people with lived and living experience with substances, and how stigma, sex and gender, and educators have a role to play in substance use health.
Deep Dive
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Key Areas We Work In
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Adverse Childhood Experiences
Early childhood experiences (ACEs) shape our minds and play a large role in how we interact with the world. ACEs can increase the risk of physical and mental illness later in life, including substance use disorders.
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Lived and Living Experiences
The insights of people with lived and living experience of substance use are unique and vital. No one else can share so meaningfully about what their experience of substance use and addiction feels like and what effect this has on their lives and the lives of people around them.
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First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples in Canada
CCSA is dedicated to supporting Indigenous health and wellness by addressing substance use health inequities, dismantling systemic racism and strengthening its organizational culture. By incorporating Traditional Knowledge and First Nations, Inuit and Métis ways of knowing, CCSA fosters culturally relevant and inclusive approaches.
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National Addictions Awareness Week
National Addictions Awareness Week highlights solutions to help address alcohol- and other drug-related harms. 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.
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Sex- and Gender-based Analysis +
CCSA has committed to integrating sex-, gender- and equity-based analysis into all of our work. By reviewing the whole body of research available and refining the results, we’re able to identify research and resources relevant to specific populations.
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Stigma
Stigma is not only hurtful, but it also has real-life consequences. In the field of substance use health, stigma is a significant barrier for people with a substance use disorder or who have used substances in the past.
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Youth and Emerging Adults
CCSA conducts research, shares knowledge and provides materials to support evidence-based decisions and actions for addressing youth and substance use.
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Contact an Expert
Latest CCSA Updates
Harnessing the Power of Community to Tackle the Toxic Drug Crisis
The toxic drug crisis is gripping every part of our country.
The toxic drug crisis is gripping every part of our country.
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Guidance, Tools & Resources
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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Learn more about CCSA
Learn about our strategic plan and our areas of focus.
