Youth & Families

Education and Prevention


At the Drug Policy Alliance, we believe accurate, honest, compassionate drug education is a right for all young people. The Safety First: Real Drug Education for Teens curriculum is a comprehensive tool for teachers that allows them to have honest conversations about drugs with their students, equipping them with the skills to navigate their risks.


Knowledge and strategies help parents to prevent children from using opioids problematically, to spot problematic use by recognizing the signs and symptoms and to take action effectively to prevent an accidental overdose. By DFK Canada.


Family Advocacy Support Centre: Life can be overwhelming, but we're here to help. Our free resources are created by peers for peers with the goal of increasing understanding and hope and decreasing shame. NOTE: If you are a professional or are from an organization, please inquire about partnering to access our resources or refer your clients to FASC


CSSDP offers a range of printable and shareable resources (scroll to the middle of the page), on topics including drug safety, harm reduction and cannabis on campus.


This Fraser Health BC resource is designed to start the conversation with a loved one to talk about overdose prevention in a non-judgmental and constructive way.


Responding to substance use

Is someone you care about struggling with substance use? This Crisis Toolkit is here to help. Journey at your own pace through videos, tips, and other tools designed to help you and your loved one.


This online course, Empowering Families Affected by Substance Use Problems of offered by CAMH. Having a family member with a substance use problem can be very stressful and overwhelming. You play a key role in supporting your relative and in promoting their wellness and recovery. Performing this role may take a toll and have a significant impact on you as well. This self-directed online program is designed to empower you as you support your loved one.

The continuum of care for OUD should be understood as inclusive and supportive of youth achieving long-term recovery, with an understanding that recovery looks different for each person.


This guide by CCSA provides information on how to find quality addiction care in Canada for drug and alcohol treatment. This guide provides information on planning for treatment and different treatment options as well as questions to ask a treatment provider when considering a program.


Cannabis

Canadian Centre for Substance Use and Addiction, 2020. ​​​​​​​​​

Canadian youth are talking … talking pot. As Canada legalizes cannabis, youth are seeking credible information from individuals they know and trust on the benefits and harms of cannabis use. They want to know the whole story. Young people are ready to have the conversation, but many who interact with them are not well prepared for it. The guide takes a harm reduction approach and provides a basis for communicating accurate information on cannabis. This information will support young people in making informed decisions about their cannabis use.


This Vancouver Coastal Health site offers health and safety tips around cannabis consumption, as well as links for youths, teachers and parents. The information is targeted at the casusal, rather than medical user.


National Overdose Response Service NORS - Call 1-888-688-NORS (6677): NORS is an overdose prevention hotline for Canadians providing loving, confidential, non-judgmental support for you, whenever and wherever you use drugs.

BRAVE APP peer-to-peer remote support: The Brave App connects people who use drugs with community members when they are vulnerable to overdose.

Lifeguard App: Lifeguard App automatically contacts emergency responders if a user becomes unconscious or unable to function in the event of an overdose.