psych1001a substance use

What is the CCSA?

Canada’s national NGO for evidence-based substance use policy, primarily funded by Health Canada.

What does the 2002 Canadian Substance Use study aim to do?

Measure the cost and harm of substance use across various domains including health, productivity, and justice.

What major terminology shift occurred in substance use research?

The shift from using the term “abuse” to the more neutral “substance use.”

What are the main substance categories covered?

Alcohol, tobacco, cannabis, cocaine, opioids, CNS depressants and stimulants, and all other psychoactive drugs.

What are the main cost categories in substance use?

Healthcare costs, lost productivity, criminal justice system costs, and other direct costs (like research).

What are the strengths of Canada's approach to substance use data?

It uses internationally agreed-upon methods, robust datasets, and includes experts from various fields.

What is CSUCH?

Canada’s Substance Use Costs and Harms — the most comprehensive national surveillance system on substance use globally.

How much did substance use cost Canada in 2020?

$49.1 billion.

What was the per person cost of substance use in Canada in 2020?

$1,291 per Canadian.

Which substances account for the most harm and cost?

Alcohol and tobacco.

How has the trend of alcohol and tobacco use changed during COVID?

Alcohol-related harms increased while tobacco-related harms decreased.

What substance showed a 66% increase in harm cost?

Opioids.

What do rising opioid and stimulant harms reflect?

A more toxic and unregulated drug supply in Canada.

What trend followed the legalization of cannabis?

A slight decrease in cannabis-related costs.

What does Canada’s experience with tobacco suggest for alcohol policy?

Public health responses to tobacco could help reduce alcohol-related harms.

What should Canada continue doing to reduce harms?

Invest in, expand, and evaluate substance use services and supports.

What was the cost impact of the PSYC1001A class in 2025?

$276,274 based on 214 people (students, TAs, and professor).

What was the class’s total cost contribution since 2020?

$1,657,644.

Why is continued monitoring of cannabis use important?

To understand long-term impacts of legalization and COVID on usage and harms.

What does “lost productivity” mean in substance

The economic value of work and life years lost due to substance-related illness, disability, or death.