National Substance Use Health Week of Action
CAPSA is excited to launch the 2nd annual National Substance Use Health Week of Action, a national campaign to promote equitable access to substance use health care in Canada.
Week of September 7th – 11th, 2026
This year's theme?
Inspiring Innovation Through Integration – Connecting Communities to Care
Why is this week important?
When talking about substances, we often talk about illness and crisis. This week represents an important movement to demonstrate the need for equitable access to information and supports across the entire spectrum of substance use health. It starts with conversations and education, but most importantly, we need to take collective action to reframe substance use through a health-focused lens for all people in Canada. We will encourage organizations, decision-makers and the general public to participate in our daily calls to action that aim to shift perspectives, reduce stigma and build societies and systems that view substance use health as part of our overall wellness.
Action Days of the week
SNEAK PEAK OF THE WEEK’S THEMES:
Day 1: INSPIRE
Inspire others. Build Momentum
In today's landscape, inspiration to build momentum is needed more than ever. How do you inspire others?Day 2: INNOVATE
System change requires us to innovate.
It's time to change systems through innovation. Highlight one way you/your organization innovates!Day 3: INTEGRATE
Our physical, mental and substance use health are connected, why aren't services?
Most Canadians want an integrated healthcare system - we can't wait for the system to change. How does your organization integrate across substance use health, mental health and physical health?Day 4: CARE
Care isn't conditional.
Caring is the feeling that encourages people to help. How do you show care without conditions or expectations?Day 5: CONNECT COMMUNITIES
Connection is what creates pathways.
On this day, hundreds of community organizations will gather at the WOW Festival to connect our communities to care. Will you be there?
Communications Toolkit
The communications toolkit is designed to make sharing information about the National Substance Use Health Week of Action. This toolkit includes ready-to-use social media content, suggested captions, and graphics for each day of the week - everything you need to help amplify the message!
Building towards WOW Festival
Each action you take this week builds momentum toward our annual WOW Festival. This high energy event unites > 2000 attendees and 150+ community partners across mental, physical and substance use health all under one tent. Featuring a research to action symposium, allyship awards, mayoral proclamation and an interactive community expo, this is what integrated care looks like in action. Tired of broken systems? Come see what's possible. We talk a lot about integration – at the WOW Festival, you get to see it. Not siloed. Not divided. Working together. Real connection. Practical solutions. One shared space. Don't just imagine a better system – come and see it in action.
How to get involved:
Follow Along On Social Media
Join us on social media as we take action all week long! Follow along for daily action posts, partner highlights, and the countdown to our annual WOW Festival!
Attend the WOW Festival
Join us in person for the WOW Festival - the marquee event of the National Substance Use Health Week of Action! Celebrate community, connection, and integrated healthcare!
Stay up to date!
Stay up to date as we build toward National Substance Use Health Week of Action to learn more, and throughout the week for daily action steps.