CAPSA’s Impact

CAPSA is a versatile and quick acting national organization known for moving novel ideas into action. We work to dismantle systemic stigma and promote Substance Use Health for all people on all pathways to wellness. For more than a decade, we have led practical training, research, and community events with service providers, policymakers, employers, and academics to promote and design equitable services and supports. Our work blends practice-based, scientific, and experiential expertise, and is led by systemic stigma experts with backgrounds in education, research, clinical practice, and policy.

"CAPSA is a joy to work alongside, bringing meaningful learning, insight and lived expertise to Substance Use Health from a variety of different perspectives."

"CAPSA brings organizations alongside them, guiding them thoughtfully through different non-stigmatizing approaches to Substance Use Health care that can be applied in real-time situations and clinical settings."

"CAPSA’s education programs and other services are absolutely necessary in creating heathier relationships, workplaces and communities."

"The Ottawa Paramedic Service is a proud partner of CAPSA. This relationship has brought invaluable wisdom, perspective and compassion to the care we provide to our community as well as our peers we work alongside."

"CAPSA has been a major supporting partner in our efforts to improve compassionate and stigma-free care, offering personable training sessions, advocacy and wisdom in our Substance Use Health initiatives."

"In accordance with CAPSA’s recommendations, we adjusted our programs’ operations with the precept that compassionate care must be at the heart of each step of the journey to wellness."

"CAPSA provides us with the tools needed to recognize our own stereotypes and preconceived notions – which we all have despite the best intentions – so that we know how to adjust our actions in a true, caring way."

Dismantling Systemic Stigma Through Education

CAPSA has trained more than 10,000 people across Canada on systemic stigma and Substance Use Health, Compassionate Care, and Co-Leadership Principles.
Evaluations show that our trainings exceed expectations in building new knowledge, skills and attitudes.

100% of organizations take action by using new knowledge to develop new or adapt existing policies or programs.

98% reported changes to policies and practices after six months.

Health agencies have adopted a Substance Use Health framework leading to:

Lower barrier services from intake to discharge.
Stigma-free, inclusive language and practices.
Health promotion strategies for all people who use substances, not only those with substance use disorder.
More equitable engagement including co-leadership partnerships with people with lived and living experience.

Transforming Systems with Allies:

With close to 350 Partners

CAPSA’s work is strengthened by allyship, shared learning and partnerships with local, national and international partners including:

Health agencies and hospitals to co-design more responsive and stigma-free services across a spectrum of use.

Researchers to increase the relevance, uptake, credibility, and translation of their findings.

Employers to promote healthier workplaces through stigma-free organizational strategies, priorities, policies and practices that integrate Substance Use Health.

Educators to develop curriculum to promote the Substance Use Health of students, faculty, and staff.

Government departments to ensure their policies reach people in Canada across a spectrum of use.

Corporations to put their social spending into meaningful action that demonstrates a return on investment.

General population through public awareness events such the annual Working on Wellness Festival, and our peer support meetings, All People All Pathways™.

From Research to Action

CAPSA focuses on research that is urgent and can result in rapid change. We blend existing literature with lived expertise that is often undervalued or overlooked because it is undocumented, experiential, and oral. All of our work is informed by thousands of anecdotes, evaluations, and empirical research with partners and peers, that in the aggregate, form CAPSA’s evidence base, arguably, the largest of its kind.

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We have used this evidence to:

Ensure that lived and living expertise is systemically used to shape decisions in the healthcare system.
Inform public policy:
- Debates of the Senate of Canada Health-Centred Approach to Substance Use Bill.
- United Nations Commission on Narcotic Drugs.
- 74th Session of the Organization of American States.
- National survey on Stigma and Substance Use Health Knowledge in Canada.
- Co-authoring the introductory chapter for the Standards Council of Canada and Government of Canada’s first Mental Health and Substance Use Health National Standards, which govern all services in Canada.
Build public awareness:
Our work has been featured in the Toronto Star, Globe & Mail, National Post, McClean’s Magazine, and Bell Let’s Talk 2023 Campaign.

CAPSA By The Numbers:

CAPSA has directly engaged with more than 38,757 people through our service offerings and initiatives.

Million

8.1 million reached via social media

18 leadership roles on national advisory bodies

3,082 APAP™ participants