This site supports BC communities...

…in taking effective action to address the harms related to alcohol, tobacco and other drugs. It was created to give community leaders, service providers, volunteers, interested citizens, youth and seniors access to quality information, research-based knowledge, and experiences of others, as well as tools for planning, implementing and evaluating actions. Effective action involves promoting health – not just treating or preventing problems. So, this site supports a comprehensive community health approach to substance use.

But your community is unique...

…which means that comprehensive community health is not a matter of applying a strict model. It is more a way of thinking and acting. Still, your community is not so different. Evidence about effective approaches, experiences of other communities, data on trends, and patterns of substance use are all information resources that may be useful to you. This knowledge from outside your community, together with local data and the expertise of your group, will help you promote the health of your community. This site provides access to information and guidance on developing and implementing strategies to achieve that goal.

Building Community in East Vancouver

By Lu Ripley

Vancouver: The Grandview Woodlands Drug and Alcohol Coalition began in response to an increase in drug activity and homelessness in an East Vancouver neighbourhood. A priority for the Coalition has been to address local substance use problems by engaging the community, especially those who have personal experience with drug use, addiction, street involvement and homelessness. The homeless and people who use substances aren’t seen as a problem, but as valuable and deserving individuals who will benefit from integration with the broader community. In turn, the community as a whole will benefit from engaging those most marginalized.

Specific actions of the Coalition include developing a community information package and organizing the annual Under One Umbrella event aimed at connecting homeless people to information and services.

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