Preventing and Addressing Problematic Use
Problematic substance use is a serious health issue, with negative social, economic, and public safety consequences for all Canadians. The term “problematic substance use” is used because it best captures the range of consequences that can result from drug use. Any psychoactive substance, whether legal (such as alcohol and prescription medication) or illegal (such as marijuana, cocaine or heroin) may result in problematic use.
Canada's Drug Strategy, a federal initiative co-ordinated under the leadership of Health Canada, deals with problematic substance use by addressing the underlying factors associated with it. It also puts a particular focus on demand reduction efforts which span a continuum of interventions that range from discouraging substance use to reducing the harms of substance use for the individual and the community as a whole. The Strategy is linked to other Government of Canada priorities: improving the health of Canadians through health promotion and disease prevention, and ensuring the safety and security of communities.
What Information is Available?
Alcohol & Other Drug Use in Canada
In this section, health professionals, researchers, public officials, and members of the media will find the latest studies, surveys, and research conducted by Health Canada and its partners on alcohol and other drug use in Canada. Review the highlights of the Canadian Addictions Survey (CAS), the first national survey dedicated to alcohol, cannabis and other drug use since 1994; it is one of the most detailed and extensive surveys of its kind ever conducted in Canada. There is also information from surveys on adult and youth drug use as well as national and provincial level surveys.
Drug Strategy Community Initiatives Fund
The Drug Strategy Community Innitatives Fund was created within Health Canada as part of Canada’s Drug Strategy to support a wide range of health promotion, prevention and harm reduction projects related to problematic substance use in Canada. Details on the funding guidelines, priorities and application procedures in your region, or for the national office, can be found on the Health Canada web site by following this link.
Driving While Impaired
Under Canada’s Drug Strategy, Health Canada and its partners are undertaking research, monitoring, analysis studies and initiatives around driving while impaired to better understand the associated problems and enable more effective decision-making in policy and programs.
Drug Treatment Court Funding Program
The Drug Treatment Court Funding Program (DTCFP) is delivered jointly by Health Canada and Justice Canada, with Justice having the lead responsibility for the administration of the Program. DTC provide an alternative to incarceration, and are intended to reduce the number of crimes that are committed to support drug dependence by reducing drug addiction through court-monitored substance abuse treatment.
Effects of Substances of Abuse
This section explores the effects of substances, such as alcohol, cannabis products, and other drugs, on the user – especially when taken in excess.
Harm Reduction
Reducing the harm associated with substance use is part of a balanced approach to address problematic substance use. Health, education and enforcement professionals, public officials, community organizations and researchers will find useful information about current Health Canada harm reduction programs, as well as the innovative programs being developed for future use.
Health Promotion and Prevention
Visit this section to learn about health promotion and prevention activities intended to reduce the demand for drugs and alcohol across Canada, including programs that address vulnerable populations such as youth.
Treatment and Rehabilitation
Supporting treatment and rehabilitation programs for individuals with substance use problems is one way Canada's Drug Strategy can reduce the demand for drugs in Canada. While responsibility for treatment in Canada falls largely under provincial and territorial jurisdiction, Health Canada provides cost-sharing funding to participating provinces and territories for alcohol and drug treatment and rehabilitation programs and services, in particular those targeting women and youth. Health Canada collaborates with the provinces and territories to stimulate the development of new treatment and rehabilitation programs, evaluate programs, identify best practices, and disseminate information across the country.
Related Resources
Canada’s Drug Strategy
Fact Sheets
Publications
National Framework for Action on Substance Use and Abuse
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