A policy brief is a concise summary of a specific issue. It covers the policy options to deal with the respective issue, and makes recommendations based on the evidence. Policy briefs assist government policy makers and others who are interested as resources in formulating or regulating policy.
Policy briefs are a practical tool used by CCSA in our efforts to contribute effectively to the development of policy. Browse the tabs below to read CCSA policy briefs on various substances.
Alcohol
![Maintaining a Public Health Approach to Alcohol Policy During COVID-19 [Policy Brief]](/sites/default/files/2021-01/CCSA-COVID-19-Maintaining-a-Public-Health-Approach-to-Alcohol-Policy-Brief-2021-en.jpg)
Maintaining a Public Health Approach to Alcohol Policy During COVID-19 [Policy Brief]
![Mandatory Alcohol Screening [Policy Brief]](/sites/default/files/2020-06/CCSA-Mandatory-Alcohol-Screening-Policy-Brief-2020-en_0.jpg)
Mandatory Alcohol Screening [Policy Brief]
The Impact and Effectiveness of Minimum Legal Drinking Age Legislation in Canada
Municipal Alcohol Policy: A Role for Canadian Governments
Municipal Alcohol Policy in Ontario: A Public Health Approach
The Municipal Alcohol Policy Program in British Columbia
The National Alcohol Strategy Monitoring Project: A Status Report
Social Reference Pricing for Alcohol FAQs
Caffeinated Alcoholic Beverages in Canada: Prevalence of Use, Risks and Recommended Policy Responses
Cannabis
Cannabis Legalization: Cannabis for Medical Purposes
Cannabis Legalization: Children and Young People
Cannabis Legalization: Home Cultivation
Cannabis Legalization: Legal Access and the Illegal Market
Cannabis Legalization: 2021–2022 Observations (Policy Brief)
Cannabis Legalization Observations 2021–2022: Key Findings for Policy Development
Cannabis Legalization Observations 2021–2022: Key Findings for Public Health
Cannabis Legalization Observations 2021–2022: Key Findings for Future Research
Public Safety and Cannabis: Taking Stock of Knowledge Since Legalization: A Virtual Cannabis Policy Research Symposium Report
![On-Premise Cannabis Use: Public Health and Safety Considerations [Policy Brief]](/sites/default/files/2021-06/CCSA-On-Premise-Cannabis-Use-Public-Health-Safety-Considerations-Policy-Brief-2021-en.jpg)
On-Premise Cannabis Use: Public Health and Safety Considerations [Policy Brief]
![Consultation on the Cannabis Regulations: Cannabis Research and Other Regulatory Issues [Policy Brief]](/sites/default/files/2021-03/CCSA-Consultation-Cannabis-Regulations-Research-Policy-Brief-2021-en.jpg)
Consultation on the Cannabis Regulations: Cannabis Research and Other Regulatory Issues [Policy Brief]
Brief Submitted to the Health Canada Consultation on Regulations for Cannabis Edibles, Extracts and Topicals
Cannabis Legalization: Year One Observations
![Composition of Boards Overseeing Retail Cannabis Sales and Wholesale Distribution across Canada [Policy Brief]](/sites/default/files/2019-10/CCSA-Composition-of-Boards-Retail-Cannabis-Sales-Distribution-Canada-Policy-Brief-2019-en.jpg)
Composition of Boards Overseeing Retail Cannabis Sales and Wholesale Distribution across Canada [Policy Brief]
Cannabis Regulatory Approaches
Cannabis Regulation: Lessons Learned in Colorado and Washington State
COVID-19
![Considerations for Virtual Services and Supports for Substance Use and Concurrent Disorders [Policy Brief]](/sites/default/files/2021-10/CCSA-Virtual-Services-Supports-Substance-Use-Concurrent-Disorders-Policy-Brief-2021-en.jpg)
Considerations for Virtual Services and Supports for Substance Use and Concurrent Disorders [Policy Brief]
This policy brief highlights key findings from a national survey of people who use substances...
![Cannabis Retail During COVID-19 [Policy Brief]](/sites/default/files/2021-01/CCSA-COVID-19-Cannabis-Retail-Policy-Brief-2021-en.jpg)
Cannabis Retail During COVID-19 [Policy Brief]
This policy brief provides an overview of cannabis regulatory changes made in response to the COVID-19 pandemic between March and August 2020 and presents preliminary data on...
Alcohol and Cannabis Retail Regulations During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Canada [initial lockdown March/April 2020]
These policy tracking tables provide details about regulatory changes to alcohol and cannabis...
Impaired Driving
![Drug Evaluation and Classification Program [Policy Brief]](/sites/default/files/2021-02/CCSA-Drug-Evaluation-Classification-Program-Policy-Brief-2021-en.jpg)
Drug Evaluation and Classification Program [Policy Brief]
Examines the Drug Evaluation and Classification Program, a 12-step procedure to assess suspected...
![Drug Per Se Laws [Policy Brief]](/sites/default/files/2019-09/CCSA-Drug-per-Se-Laws-Policy-Brief-09-2019-en_0.jpg)
Drug Per Se Laws [Policy Brief]
Examines the effectiveness of implementing drug “per se” laws, whereby it is an offence to drive with a blood concentration of alcohol or drugs in excess of a specified...
![Key Issues in Drug-impaired Driving [Policy Brief]](/sites/default/files/2019-10/CCSA-Key-Issues-Drug-impaired-Driving-Policy-Brief-2019-en.jpg)
Key Issues in Drug-impaired Driving [Policy Brief]
This policy brief presents the key issues for minimizing the harms associated with cannabis-impaired driving. It provides policy makers with information to assist in developing...
![Short-term Administrative Sanctions for Alcohol and Drug Use by Drivers [Policy Brief]](/sites/default/files/2021-03/CCSA-Administrative-Sanctions-Impaired-Driving-Policy-Brief-2021-en.jpg)
Short-term Administrative Sanctions for Alcohol and Drug Use by Drivers [Policy Brief]
Outlines the various measures that provinces and territories have taken to keep impaired drivers...
Oral Fluid Drug Screening [Policy Brief]
Oral fluid drug screening equipment was approved for legal use by law enforcement in 2018 to detect the presence of certain drugs, including cannabis, in drivers. Officially...
Emerging Issues
Substance Use and the Climate Emergency
Explores how people who use drugs and the climate emergency interconnect. For example, in 2021 flooding in British Columbia disrupted people’s access to opioid agonist...
Comparing Drug Treatment Court Principles to Evidence-Based Practice
Explains the Canadian drug treatment court (DTC) model and explores the extent to which it...
Drug Treatment Courts: An Evidence-Based Review with Recommendations for Improvement
Defines what drug treatment courts (DTCs) are, situates them in Canada’s current substance use...
Evidence-Based Decriminalization (Policy Brief)
Summarizes and supplements the report, Decriminalization: Options and Evidence, published in 2018. Examines key considerations to guide an evidence-based and effective approach...
Submission to Health Canada consultation to inform proposed new regulations for supervised consumption sites and services
Outlines key considerations to inform proposed new regulations for supervised consumption sites...
Health Canada Consultation on the Controlled Drugs and Substances Strategy
Presents CCSA’s recommendations for Health Canada’s Controlled Drugs and Substance Strategy....
Networks: A Knowledge Synthesis
This brief discusses the potential use of networks to support healthcare reform. It presents different network models, and synthesizes key themes and best practices in network...
Decriminalization: Options and Evidence [Policy Brief]
Examines the various options and evidence on the decriminalization of controlled substances as a means to reduce harms. Based on Canadian and international research, this...
