Issues of Substance (IOS) is Canada’s premier national conference on alcohol, drugs and other substances. Developed by the Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse (CCSA)—Canada’s national non-governmental organization working to reduce alcohol- and drug-related harms—IOS is held every two years and coincides with National Drug and Addictions Awareness Week. This year IOS is being held in Halifax, Nova Scotia on November 15-18.

Conference goals:

• To provide a forum for knowledge exchange with a view to improving practice and policy development
• To provide networking opportunities to stimulate collaboration within the field
• To help strengthen substance use services and supports both within and connected to Canada’s treatment system

The theme for IOS 2009 is “Pathways and Bridges to Change”. It explores the personal “pathways to change” that individuals can pursue into and through a tiered model of treatment that strives to ensure services and supports are matched to individual needs, are provided in a timely fashion, and are evidence-based. IOS 2009 will also examine “system bridges”—some established and others yet to be developed—across the range of services that are important to ensure tightly coordinated care experiences for those at risk or in need.

The conference theme draws inspiration from the National Treatment Strategy (NTS), released in November 2008, which sets out a vision and action plan for reforming and improving Canada’s substance abuse treatment system. The vision outlined in the NTS reflects a comprehensive, integrated, and accessible system of evidence-based services and supports built on multi-sectoral communication and collaboration. 

IOS 2009 is expected to welcome more than 600 participants. Attendees will include addiction specialists (treatment providers, clinical staff, and public health nurses), allied professionals (hospital staff, law enforcement personnel, and corrections workers), researchers, academics, policy makers and private sector professionals.

Please click here to view the welcome message from IOS 2009’s Conference Chair.

Key Dates:

• Call for Abstracts Opens:       April 17, 2009
• Call for Abstracts Closes:       May 25, 2009
• Notification to Applicants:    July 2009