Cocaine

Around 2% of Canadians consumed cocaine in some form, including freebase and crack, during the past year in 2017. Despite this low prevalence of use, the relative health and social costs of cocaine are high. Understanding the impacts of cocaine distribution and consumption is essential to minimizing the risks and harms associated with this substance. For that reason, CCSA synthesizes the evidence to better support decisions about related policy and practice.

In this section:

Overview
Featured Resource

What Is Cocaine?

Cocaine is a powerful stimulant made from the leaves of the coca plant and consumed for both medical and non-medical purposes The two main varieties available are a water-soluble white powder, which is often mixed with other substances such as cornstarch, to be snorted or injected, and a water-insoluble whitish opaque crystal, known as “crack,” that is smoked or dissolved and injected. Using cocaine with other drugs, particularly opiates, either at the same time or consecutively, is associated with an increased risk of overdose.

Featured Resource

Canadian Drug Summary: Cocaine

Summarizes data on the use of cocaine, including the harms and effects, legal status and access to treatment. The prevalence of cocaine use was two per cent among people living in Canada in 2019. Cocaine contributes to the second-highest criminal justice costs of any substance in Canada after alcohol.

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Get to know our team of experts

Alexander Caudarella, MDCM CCFP AM ABAM(d)

CEO

Area of Expertise:

  • Harm Reduction
  • Opioids
  • Recovery
  • Treatment
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Karen Cumberland, MPA

Vice President, Strategic Initiatives and Community Outreach​

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François Gagnon, PhD

Senior Scientist and Special Policy Advisor

Area of Expertise:

  • Alcohol
  • Cannabis
  • Gambling
  • Harm Reduction
  • Policy
  • More Area of Expertise
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Pam Kent, PhD

Director, Research and Emerging Trends

Area of Expertise:

  • Cannabis
  • Mental Health
  • SGBA+
  • Substance Use Costs
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Shawna Meister, MA

Associate Director, Innovation and Evidence in Practice

Area of Expertise:

  • Impaired Driving
  • Workplace
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Adam Sherk, PhD

Senior Scientist and Special Policy Advisor

Area of Expertise:

  • Alcohol
  • Policy
  • Substance Use Costs
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Aisha Giwa, PhD

Knowledge Broker

Area of Expertise:

  • Cannabis
  • Impaired Driving
  • Mental Health
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Anat Ziv, PhD

Research & Policy Analyst

Area of Expertise:

  • Substance Use Costs
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Bryce Barker, PhD, CE

Senior Knowledge Broker

Area of Expertise:

  • Alcohol
  • Youth
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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: 

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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Contact an Expert

Get to know our experts at CCSA. Whether it is alcohol, cannabis, stigma, opioids, or any another topic related to substance use and addiction, our team of professionals is available to provide their knowledge expertise. Browse our staff profiles to find the right expert to meet your specific needs.
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Browse the CCSA Network of Websites

CCSA's Issues of Substance Conference

This biannual, national conference brings together people from across the country, including addiction workers, healthcare professionals, researchers, policy makers, and people with lived and living experience
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Canadian Substance Use Costs and Harms

This project provides comparable and up-to-date data on the costs and harms of substance use in Canada and allows people to explore and analyze the data through its data visualization tool.
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Workforce Competencies

CCSA developed measurable technical and behaviour competencies in knowledge, skills and values for the substance use workforce, providing consistent care across the wide range of settings.
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Drink Less Live More

Canada has new guidance on alcohol and your health. CCSA wants you to be able to make the most informed decisions you can about drinking alcohol.
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Lower Risk Gambling Guidelines

Learn about the world’s first Lower-Risk Gambling Guidelines to help people in Canada make informed decisions about their gambling and lessen their risk of gambling-related harms. Use the Interactive Risk Assessment Tool to assess your personal gambling choices.
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The Highway Home

This interactive website takes an experiential approach to increasing youth’s and young drivers’ awareness of the risks and harms of drug-impaired driving, using real-life scenarios involving cannabis use and driving.
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CECA

CCSA contributes to the strategy development and provides secretariat, financial and support services to the council — a national, non-governmental organization that influences public policy on substance use.
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