Who handles substance use & addiction?
Substance Use & Addiction
Substance use policy is shared. Federal controls the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, provinces fund treatment programs, and municipalities manage local harm reduction services.
⚠️ Shared Jurisdiction: This area involves multiple levels of government. The information below shows the primary responsibility at each level, but overlap is common. When in doubt, start with the level most directly related to your issue.
Key Facts
- ● The federal Controlled Drugs and Substances Act regulates the production, possession, and distribution of controlled substances in Canada.
- ● Health Canada oversees cannabis regulation following federal legalization in 2018, including licensing producers and setting potency limits.
Federal
Parliament of Canada
- ● Controlled Drugs and Substances Act
- ● Canadian Drugs and Substances Strategy
- ● Supervised consumption site exemptions
- ● Cannabis regulation (federal framework)
💡 Example: Contact Health Canada about drug policy, or your MP about substance use strategy.
Provincial
Provincial Legislature
- ● Provincial addictions treatment programs
- ● Harm reduction services
- ● Provincial drug strategy
- ● Opioid response programs
💡 Example: Contact your provincial addictions services, or your MPP/MLA about treatment access.
Municipal
City / Town Hall
- ● Local harm reduction programs
- ● Community substance use services
- ● Municipal by-law enforcement
💡 Example: Contact local harm reduction services, or your councillor about community programs.
Quick Reference — Who to Contact
🏛️ Federal
Your Member of Parliament (MP)
🏢 Provincial
Your MPP, MLA, or MNA
🏘️ Municipal
Your City Councillor
How to Get Involved
You can make your voice heard on this issue by contacting your elected representatives at all levels of government.
- ● Contact your MP about federal policies and programs
- ● Reach out to your provincial MLA/MPP about provincial programs and regulations
- ● Attend municipal council meetings to discuss local initiatives
- ● Join advocacy organizations focused on this issue
- ● Contact your provincial MLA/MPP about expanding harm reduction services and addiction treatment programs.
- ● Support local harm reduction organizations and advocate for evidence-based substance use policies.
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Take Action →Frequently Asked Questions
Services include harm reduction programs (needle exchanges, supervised consumption sites), counselling, rehabilitation, and medication-assisted treatment. They are funded by provincial health systems.
Harm reduction is a public health approach that aims to reduce the negative consequences of substance use without requiring abstinence. Examples include needle exchanges, fentanyl test strips, and supervised consumption sites.
Yes. Cannabis was legalized for recreational use on October 17, 2018. Adults 19+ (18+ in Alberta and Quebec) can purchase cannabis from licensed retailers. Possession limits are 30 grams in public.
Canada's Federal Non-Medical Drug Strategy focuses on prevention, treatment, harm reduction, and enforcement. It addresses the opioid crisis and other substance use issues.
Encourage them to seek professional help, contact the Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction (CCSA) at 1-800-668-6793, or visit local treatment centres.