Matthew Young, PhD
Senior Research Associate
Expertise:
Matthew is one of Canada’s leading experts in the epidemiology of substance use trends, the early detection and sharing of information on emerging drug-related health threats, new psychoactive substances and gambling.
Biography:
Matthew Young has been working in the field of substance use and addiction for over 20 years and leads CCSA’s substance use epidemiology research activities, which includes co-chairing the scientific committee tasked with estimating the economic burden of substance use in Canada (www.csuch.ca). He was also at the helm of the Canadian Community Epidemiology Network on Drug Use when CCSA identified and issued one of the first public health alerts on the presence of fentanyl in the unregulated illicit drug supply (June 2013). Matthew sits as a member of Health Canada’s Canadian Drugs and Substances Observatory and the Public Health Agency of Canada’s Opioid Overdose Surveillance Task Group.
In addition to substance use epidemiology, Matthew studies gambling-related harms and did his doctorate investigating the craving of people who gamble. Currently, he co-chairs the scientific committee tasked with developing the first lower-risk gambling guidelines.
Matthew is also an adjunct research professor of psychology at Carleton University in Ottawa. Prior to joining CCSA in May 2010, Matthew conducted research on gambling, taught English in South Korea and worked as a researcher with Correctional Service Canada. He also served three years on the Board of Directors of South Ottawa Community Legal Services, and spent two years teaching language skills to people with autism.
Matthew holds a BSc, MA and PhD — all in Psychology.
In his spare time, Matthew enjoys spending time with his children. He also plays drums in the local Ottawa rock band, St. Stephen’s.