Increasing Awareness and Understanding of Problematic Substance Use Reducing Alcohol-Related Harms Addressing Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) Preventing the Problematic Use of Pharmaceuticals Addressing Enforcement Issues Sustaining Workforce Development Implementing a National Research Agenda and Facilitating Knowledge Transfer Improving the quality, accessibility and range of options to treat harmful substance use including substance use disorders (Treatment) Modernizing Legislative, Regulatory and Policy Frameworks Focusing on Children and Youth Reaching Out to Canada’s North Supporting First Nations, Inuit and Métis People in Addressing Their Needs Responding to Offender-Related Issues Raising Public Awareness About Addictions: Creating Momentum for Action National Alcohol Policy Thematic Workshop National Thematic Workshop on Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) Preventing the Harmful Use of Psychotropic Pharmaceuticals National Thematic Workshop on Enforcement Police and Policing Partners: Supply Management and Demand Reduction Workforce Development Thematic Workshop National Thematic Workshop on Research National Thematic Workshop on Improving the Quality, Accessibility, and Range of Options to Treat Harmful Substance Use Including Substance Use Disorders (Treatment) National Thematic Workshop on Corrections National Symposium on Language

Focusing on Children and Youth

It is important to reach the broad diversity of children and youth, including urban, suburban, First Nations, Inuit and Métis, gay and lesbian youth, street and rural youth of all ages, socio-economic background and interests. Comprehensive policies and programs that begin at an early age are more effective in delaying first use of substances and reducing problems associated with substance use in the future. Programs that recognize the reality of adolescent substance use and focus on reducing the potential for related harm are more likely to be successful than programs that focus on abstinence alone. It is also important to deliver messages that are factual, age-appropriate, accessible and meaningful to them. For example, the Internet and popular media and culture are key vehicles to reach children and youth. Because of how pervasive the popular culture is in the lives of young people, there is a need for National Framework prevention and health promotion messages to provide a more balanced approach to counter the "glamorization" of alcohol and other drugs often depicted in popular media. 

Problematic substance use by adults is a strong influential factor on future choices that children and youth make. At times, problematic substance use by others such as parents and neighbours, directly impacts the safety of childrenand youth (e.g., hazardous materials in homes where marijuana or synthetic drugs are illegally being produced). Research has continued to demonstrate that substance use and addiction issues need to be handled within the context of a young person's family and community. Without parental and family involvement, the impact of an intervention is diminished. Therefore, additional efforts are required to promote and facilitate the use of both prevention and treatment that include parents and family environments. These types of interventions may often have a lasting influence in the lives of children and youth and in the decisions they make.  

Meaningful youth engagement, at the onset and throughout, is necessary for the development of successful strategies. Investments should include: long-term, sustained programming for school curricula; comprehensive prevention and health programs including appropriate messaging about the harms associated with substance use, including during pregnancy; approaches aimed at improving resiliency and promoting protective factors; improved access to and availability of youth specific treatment programs; and implementation of public policies, such as restricting access to alcohol. 

Update 

Discussions are ongoing on how to approach this priority issue.  If your organization has an interest in exploring options to address youth issues contact the Secretariat.