Many evidence-based tools in substance use prevention and treatment remain greatly under-utilized. To determine the best intervention for an individual diagnosed with a substance misuse problem, service providers need to have access to research results and the best available evidence.
To improve communication between service providers and researchers, the Government of Canada has launched, the Canadian Research Initiative in Substance Misuse (CRISM). This initiative will lead to effective and tailored interventions and programs for people living with substance misuse. CRISM is unique due to its focus on the transfer and implementation of new evidence-based approaches to reduce the risk of substance misuse health effects, including addiction, overdose and death.
The Government of Canada has invested $7.2 million in CRISM through Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) to support four research teams and led by the following researchers. Together, they will work closely with service providers and representatives of people living with substance misuse to ensure better health outcomes for people facing substance misuse problems. The teams will use the funding to establish research platforms that include clinical and research experts and software and equipment. An additional $5 million has been allocated to CIHR for research specifically focused on prescription drug abuse.
