CCSA’s
Issues of Substance conference, a biennial national conference on substance abuse issues, is set for Nov. 15 to 18, 2009, in Halifax.
IOS 2009 will attempt to portray the range of harms associated with substance abuse and addictions, the conditions that generate those harms, and the measures and strategies that hold the greatest potential for reducing them.
IOS 2009 Update: November 13, 2009
2009 David Archibald Lecture
Due to speaker unavailability, CCSA has decided to postpone the 2009 David Archibald lecture, Alcohol: Shared and Competing Values.
This decision reinforces CCSA’s commitment to host a dialogue in which the viewpoints of key members from public health, community agencies, academic and research institutions and the alcohol industry are all available to discuss the shared and competing values of working together to address alcohol-related harm.
Five Days and Counting Until IOS 2009
We look forward to welcoming you to this year’s Issues of Substance (IOS) conference in Halifax, Atlantic Canada’s largest city known for its charm and beauty.
Prior to the event we would like to inform you about the following items to help ensure your stay is both enjoyable and enriching:
IOS’s Opening Reception
This year’s event begins with an Opening Reception on Sunday, November 15, 2009 at 18:00-20:00. It will be of particular interest to both past IOS attendees and new participants as it will feature an icebreaker activity. Delegates will be provided an opportunity to participate in one of the following Signpost Discussion Tables:
- Collaboration & Coordination
- Prevention/Health Promotion
- Care Planning
- Special Populations
- Primary/Community Care Partnerships
- Treatment
- Early/Brief Intervention
- Research
- Emerging Issues
- Policy
This activity will provide an informal opportunity for participants to develop connections with others in field who are interested in similar topics.
Dinner and Entertainment * Allergy Alert *
IOS is pleased to provide dinner and entertainment by the renowned Second City performers for all conference delegates on Monday November 16 at 18:30.
Please note, the evening’s meal will feature both a Lunenburg Seafood Chowder and a boiled Nova Scotia Lobster. Should you have a seafood allergy or would prefer a Sirloin or Vegetarian option, please email Zoe Stevens-Lavigne at Zoe@goldenplanners.ca by November 13, 2009 to have this preference accommodated.
IOS H1N1 Protocol Announced
The Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse (CCSA) has been monitoring the H1N1 flu virus situation as it relates to theIconference. Based on the current level of local pandemic virus activity, the severity of the illness and Halifax’s public health capacity, Ihas will not be postponed or cancelled. For more information on IOS’s H1N1 Protocol and recommendations please click here.
Delegate Substitutions
Due to recent travel restrictions IOS 2009 has lifted the deadline for substitutions. Delegates who are unable to attend can provide a replacement on-site, who will need to visit registration and provide the name of person who they will be replacing along with their contact information. They will then be provided a conference badge that will give them access to all conference events.
Please note: Registration opens Sunday, November 15th at 12:00.
See you in Halifax, where you will be part of the pathways to change!
IOS 2009 Update: October 8, 2009
Issues of Substance (IOS) 2009
This year’s conference is going to be a tremendous success with over 500 participants projected. This is a great feat, due largely to the efforts of our partners, stakeholders and staff who have continued to promote and support this year’s event in the wake of tight budgets and travel restrictions.
The IOS team thanks you for all your efforts and is pleased to announce that the following events and services have been added to the IOS program:
CIHR to Award Prizes to Best IOS Posters
The Canadian Institutes of Health Research (Institute of Neuroscience, Mental Health and Addictions) is awarding two $500 prizes for the best poster presentations at the Issues of Substance conference.
The two categories are:
- Trainee: students enrolled in a Bachelor’s, Master’s or PhD program, or individuals pursuing postdoctoral research or in another formal research training program (following a health professional degree)
- Professional: those working in the substance abuse field or faculty/staff in post-secondary educational settings
Judging criteria will be:
- Quality of research
- Potential impact of research
- Quality of presentation
- Demonstrated understanding of content
Judging will take place during the poster session on Tuesday, November 17 from 3:00–4:00 p.m. Winners will be announced on Wednesday, November 18 at the closing plenary session.
Issues of Substance Conference offers 18 CEU credit hours
The Canadian Addiction Counsellors Certification Federation has approved up to 18 CEU credit hours for IOS sessions, as follows:
| Date |
CEU credit |
Attendance Required |
| Sun., Nov 15 |
3 CEUs |
one pre-conference session |
| Mon., Nov 16 |
1.5 CEUs |
opening keynote session |
| 4.5 CEUs |
three concurrent sessions (1.5 each) |
| Tues., Nov 17 |
1.5 CEUs |
plenary session |
| 4.5 CEUs |
three concurrent sessions (1.5 each) |
| Wed., Nov 18 |
2 CEUs |
Pathways and Bridges to Change Discussion |
| 1.5 CEUs |
closing keynote session |
*Instructions and forms to certify attendance will be available at the conference.
IOS Exhibit Opportunities
With fewer than two months to go until IOS, exhibit space is going fast.
Reserve your exhibit space today! To learn more about exhibiting at IOS, please visit www.issuesofsubstance.ca and click on Exhibits.
Please note, there is a limited number of exhibit spaces available at IOS. Exhibits will be sold on a first-come, first-served basis.