Substance Use

Health Canada's information portal to various substances, such as alcohol, cannabis, smoking, vaping and tobacco, controlled and illegal drugs, laws and regulations, and more. 

Click on the drug or topic to explore the resources. 

Contains authoritative facts about the most commonly used drug. Each page includes a brief overview of the effects of the drug, statistics and trends, and relevant publications. Created by National institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA).

Contains information about different types of substance use, addition, and harm reduction. Managed by the Ministry of Mental Health and Addictions.

Developed by the First Nations Health Authority (FNHA) to support Indigenous peoples. Includes data and reports on overdoses, videos on related topics, and consumption of non-medical cannabis, cannabis legalization, and its impact on physical and mental health.

Information helps parents and caregivers understand substance use topics to engage in conversations with their child.

The content is targeted to young people (12-24 years old) to help people learn the basics about different substances. Foundry is a province wide initiative powered by BC Children’s Hospital.

Tools and information for older adults and their families. Created by the Canadian Coalition for Seniors' Mental Health (CCSMH).

Provides an overview about problematic substance use, including prescription drugs, and links to additional resources.

Learn about substance use problems by exploring the "Health Topics" list.

Contains resources for managing substance use such as articles and links to external organizations.

Tools and resources related to the BC Government's response to overdoses. 

First Nations Health Authority's (FNHA) shares their harm reduction approach to help people understand and support those in need. 

The Canadian Coalition for Seniors' Mental Health (CCSMH) offers guidelines on substance use disorders among older adults. The sections include: an introduction, alcohol use, benzodiazepine use, cannabis use, and opioid use.

The importance of language around substance use is vital to create a safer space with less stigma. Contains language guidelines, and a module series about the discrimination experienced by people who use drugs.

Contains information about the impact of stigma and discrimination around mental health and substance use problems.

Resources and information about the stigma around drug use by Health Canada. Also contains links to additional resources.

A list of reports related to mental health and substance use researched and published by the Mental Health Commission of Canada (MHCC). Areas of interest include: Cannabis and opioids.

BCCSU develops, helps to implement, and evaluates evidence-based approaches to substance use and addiction. Click on "Research" for project details and click "Publications" for published articles, reports, white papers, and more.

Browse substance use- and addiction-related publications for researchers, policy makers, and health service providers.

A list of evidence-based studies to support harm reduction policies. 

Originally published in 2013, the Report on Canadian Drug Policy highlights the need to restructure the federal drug policy supported by data and case studies. Also includes recommendations. 

CISUR studies "substance use and addiction in support of community-wide efforts to promote health and reduce harm." Offers statistics related to substance use, and access to published research and resources. 

Publications created by the Government of Canada related to cannabis (e.g. annual "Canadian cannabis survey - Summary").

Publications created by the Government of Canada related to smoking, vaping, and tobacco.