Search

Feature

The Impact on Alcohol-Related Collisions of the Partial Decriminalization of Impaired Driving in BC

Significantly fewer people are dying in alcohol-related crashes in BC, thanks to the province's new drinking and driving laws. This new study by CARBC indicates the number of fatal alcohol-related collisions has decreased by more than 40% under the new law. The Immediate Roadside Prohibition legislation passed in 2010 largely replaced laws under the Criminal Code of Canada, which had more severe penalties but also lower probability of punishment. See media release and backgrounder to the right.

Minimum Alcohol Prices and Outlet Densities in BC: Estimated Impacts on Alcohol-Attributable Hospital Admissions

Stockwell and others investigated whether periodic increases in minimum alcohol prices were associated with reduced alcohol-attributable hospital admissions in BC, and concluded that significant health benefits were observed when minimum alcohol prices were increased. By contrast, adverse health outcomes were associated with an expansion of private liquor stores.

Minister of Health announces $18.4 million for Mental Health and Substance Use supports

All of us at the Centre for Addictions Research of BC wish to gratefully acknowledge the contribution of $1 million from the BC government as part of a new mental health and substance use funding initiative announced on Friday, April 12, 2013. These funds will be used to further engage and support the academic community to conduct research and knowledge translation activities which support BC’s 10-year plan for mental health and substance use, Healthy Minds, Healthy People, for graduate student scholarships, research dissemination activities, and to support the BC Alcohol and Other Drug Monitoring Project.

Latest News & Notes

Misuse of Opioids in Canadian Communities

This CCSA-CCENDU Bulletin that CARBC contributed to provides a series of short snapshots describing opioid misuse in Canadian communities.

East Kootenay Adolescent Drug Use Survey: 2013 Summary Report

In February and March 2013, East Kootenay Addiction Services Society conducted their sixth Adolescent Drug Use Survey. The region-wide survey, first undertaken by them in 2002, includes all students in Grades 7–12 in the East Kootenay. The survey is conducted every two years to monitor changes in drug use patterns and attitudes amongst East Kootenay adolescents.

A Local Government/First Nation Guide from the BC Ministry of Health

This document, Creating Municipal Alcohol Policy, has been prepared by the Ministry of Health, in collaboration with BC Healthy Communities, to serve as a guide for local governments/First Nations in the planning of a municipal alcohol policy (MAP). A MAP helps local governments/First Nations manage alcohol facilities they own and manage, and reduces liability for alcohol-related problems. This guide explains what a MAP is, how it can benefit your local government/First Nation and how to create one, from start to finish.

... more news and notes

CARBC In the news

BC’s drinking and driving laws mean fewer deaths
Date: June 13, 2013
Source: Centre for Addictions Research of BC

$18.4 million for mental health and substance use supports
Date: April 12, 2013
Source: BC Ministry of Health

Sobriety Test: CAMH Report Rates Provinces on Alcohol Policies
Date: March 6, 2013
Source: Centre for Addiction and Mental Health

Drop in alcohol-related deaths by nearly a third follows minimum alcohol price increase of 10%
Date: February 7, 2013
Source: Centre for Addictions Research of BC

... more news items

Upcoming events

UBC Summer Institute on Addiction
Date: July 18-20, 2013
Location: UBC, Vancouver, BC

Promoting Mental Health in BC Schools: Summer Institute 2013
Date: August 22-23, 2013
Location: UBC, Vancouver, BC

First International Conference on Prevention of FASD
Date: September 23-25, 2013
Location: Shaw Conference Centre, Edmonton, AB

The Miracle of Systems Thinking
Date: October 18-19, 2013
Location: SFU Harbour Centre, Vancouver, BC

Issues of Substance 2013: CCSA National Conference
Date: November 4-6, 2013
Location: Delta Ottawa City Centre Hotel, Ottawa, ON

... more events

Canadian Media Stories on Alcohol or Other Drugs

CN BC: Editorial: Pushing Users Underground

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 07:00:00 GMT
Prince George Citizen, 18 Jun 2013 - There is the stereotype that someone who wants to take pot for pain relief of their medical condition must have another agenda, must want the government to endorse a pre-existing habit, must want to make money selling the excess on the street, must be someone trying to trick the system when there's perfectly good pain medication on the market and so on. As Christine Hinzmann shows in her feature today about Tom, a local man who grows and uses medical marijuana to deal with the horrible and permanent side effects of his cancer treatment, stereotypes aren't always based in reality.

CN MB: Cannabis And The CFL

Sat, 15 Jun 2013 07:00:00 GMT
Winnipeg Free Press, 15 Jun 2013 - The news that Winnipeg Blue Bombers defensive back Jonathan Hefney is facing charges for marijuana possession back in South Carolina is controversial -- in part because of the veteran defender's status and personal baggage -- but not exactly earth-shattering, given the relationship between the CFL and pot. In a league where no team plays on natural grass, marijuana has been a headline-generating issue for more than four decades in Canada. The CFL has long been a haven for NFL players -- most recently Ricky Williams in Toronto and Onterrio Smith in Winnipeg -- who have repeatedly failed drug tests in the U.S., where marijuana is considered a banned substance. (The CFL tests for performance-enhancing drugs, but not recreational drugs, including marijuana.)

CN NF: Methadone Successes Worth It: Doctor

Sat, 15 Jun 2013 07:00:00 GMT
The Telegram, 15 Jun 2013 - The rate of success is poor, the nature of the work often frustrating and the paperwork required under new rules is daunting. But the reward is the amazing transformation of those who are helped by methadone, says Dr. Jeff White, who has been administering the program as part of his family practice for several years.

CN ON: Column: Incomplete Registry Of Former Grow- Ops Could Be Worse

Sat, 15 Jun 2013 07:00:00 GMT
The Sault Star, 15 Jun 2013 - I'm not as high as Ontario realtors are on a move to create a registry of homes that have been used as grow-ops. The Ontario Real Estate Association has thrown its support behind Conservative MPP Lisa MacLeod's second attempt to push a private member's bill through Queen's Park that attempts to protect unsuspecting buyers.

CN AB: Pot-Growing Senior Loses Home

Sat, 15 Jun 2013 07:00:00 GMT
The Calgary Sun, 15 Jun 2013 - The Calgary senior busted for keeping a marijuana grow operation in her basement must forfeit her home, a judge ruled Friday. Justice Carolyn Phillips dismissed claims by Heng Kiet Kouch, 66, that the 128-plant operation for which she was handed a conditional sentence, belonged to former tenants. The senior's home was raided July 14, 2010.

CN ON: Men Photographed With Toronto Mayor Among Those Charged In

Sat, 15 Jun 2013 07:00:00 GMT
Globe and Mail, 15 Jun 2013 - Twenty-eight people face a combined 300 charges after police conducted a year-long investigation into drugs and violence Two of the young men who appear in a photograph with Mayor Rob Ford have been named by police as members of a violent Etobicoke gang and face an array of criminal charges, according to court documents released on Friday.

CN NF: Community Alliance Tackling Drug Addiction

Fri, 14 Jun 2013 07:00:00 GMT
The Western Star, 14 Jun 2013 - CORNER BROOK - Drug addiction is not just a problem for the person who is hooked. The entire community has a responsibility to take action to deal with the widespread impacts such a negative lifestyle can have. That's the impetus behind a community alliance based in St. John's that is trying to not just talk about the issue, but take concrete steps towards helping people at risk of drug addiction.

CN ON: Officer Could Lose Job Over Pot

Fri, 14 Jun 2013 07:00:00 GMT
The Record, 14 Jun 2013 - Local police constable pleads guilty to charges related to smoking marijuana with other officers at parties KITCHENER - A Waterloo Regional Police officer will likely face demotion or dismissal for numerous incidents of smoking pot with other officers and civilians at parties and buying marijuana from a drug supplier.

CN ON: PUB LTE: Sick, And Not Going To Take It Anymore

Fri, 14 Jun 2013 07:00:00 GMT
Standard Freeholder, 14 Jun 2013 - This is in response to the new rules as presented by Health Canada, which is "getting out of the pot business." The way the rules now stand, someone who is disabled due to a disease, ailment or injury can obtain medicinal marijuana through a friend that is willing to grow it for them. The only cost is the cost of seeds, the change on the person's hydro bills and, of course, the taxman.