Partners
Canada's Drug Strategy is a federal initiative, led by Health Canada, in partnership with eight other federal government departments and agencies. Partners and other related organizations include:
In this section, you will learn what each federal entity is doing to ensure that the strategy is a success. You will also find out how the Government of Canada is working with provincial and territorial governments and others to develop a national approach to address the harmful use of substances through the development of the National Framework For Action to Reduce the Harms Associated with Alcohol and Other Drugs and Substances in Canada.
Participants in the Strategy cover a wide range of interests, but together they share a common goal: to address the harmful use of substances and to reduce both the demand for, and the supply of, drugs.
Federal Government Departments and Agencies
Health Canada provides coordination functions for Canada's Drug
Strategy. It has programs and initiatives to prevent the harmful
use of substances like alcohol and illegal substances, and to enhance
treatment and rehabilitation. The Department
also regulates controlled substances, administers legislation which
governs the distribution and possession of controlled substances
through the  Controlled
Drugs and Substances Act, and provides expert advice and drug
analysis services to Canada's law enforcement agencies. It also
conducts research into risk factors and root causes of
substance use, studies the use of drugs for medical purposes, and
shares this leading-edge information with its partners. The
Canada
Health Portal offers health resources on
drugs such as marijuana, ecstasy, heroin, cocaine, and LSD, including
health effects and risks of substance abuse as well as information
on treatment for drug addictions.
Public Health Agency of Canada
Focussed on more effective efforts to prevent chronic diseases,
prevent injuries and respond to public health emergencies and infectious
disease outbreaks, the Public
Health Agency of Canada works closely with provinces and territories
to keep Canadians healthy and help reduce pressures on the health
care system. It also plays a leadership role in the area of HIV/AIDS,
Hepatitis C and Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder. The Canadian
Health Network is a national, non-profit, bilingual,
web-based health information service administered by the Public
Health Agency of Canada.
Public Safety and Emergency Prepardness Canada
Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Canada provides policy advice on substance abuse issues involving institutional and community programming for offenders; develops and implements drug policy; and undertakes policy, research, and program development work on substance abuse issues related to aboriginal policing. It also coordinates the activities of the following three agencies (RCMP, CBSA, CSC):
Royal Canadian Mounted Police
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police has primary responsibility for investigating drug offences including marijuana grow operations and clandestine laboratories used to manufacture illegal substances. Through its Drug Awareness Service and National Youth Strategy, the RCMP is also very involved in efforts to discourage drug abuse.
Canada Border Services Agency
Canada Border Services Agency uses programs such as the Detector Dog Service to stop the smuggling of drugs across Canada's borders. The agency also works with the United States to address cross-border drug trade through initiatives such as the Cross-Border Crime Forum.
Correctional Services Canada
Correctional Service Canada has programs in place to address substance abuse among Canada's offender population.
Department of Justice Canada
The Department of Justice Canada develops the legal content of federal drug legislation, regulations, and guidelines, such as the proposed Cannabis Reform legislation. The Department prosecutes federal drug offences across Canada and provides legal advice to federal law enforcement agencies and other government departments. In partnership with Health Canada, the Department of Justice Canada also manages the Drug Treatment Court Funding Program which seeks to break the cycle of drug use among offenders and reduce the number of crimes committed to support drug dependence.
Foreign Affairs Canada
Foreign Affairs Canada facilitates Canada's multilateral co-operation with various international bodies including the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime and the Organization of American States' Inter-American Drug Abuse Control Commission (CICAD) to ensure that Canada's international drug strategy activities mirror the balanced approach taken domestically.
Provincial and Territorial Governments
The participation of provincial and territorial governments in Canada's Drug Strategy is a necessary ingredient for its success. To maximize the contributions of these governments, Canada's Drug Strategy Secretariat established a Federal-Provincial-Territorial Committee on Substance Use and Abuse. The Committee provides ongoing advice on policy, regulatory, and program issues related to the impact of substance abuse on the health of Canadians. It is also the principal forum for these levels of government to enhance substance abuse programs and to provide advice for integration at the national level.
Non-Governmental Organizations
Professional Associations
International
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