criminal justice

Personal Impacts of Substance Use

Website

The Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction (CCSA) transforms complex data into insights that reflect real human experiences. Every aspect of the Canadian Substance Use Cost and Harms (CSUCH) project represents individuals with lived...

Community-based substance use treatment programs for reentering justice-involved adults: A scoping review

Scientific article

16 February 2024

Abstract Introduction For adults involved with the criminal justice system who are reentering their communities post-incarceration, there is a large need for community-based substance use treatment. Little is known, however, about the types...

Augmenting substance use treatment in the drug court: A pilot randomized trial of peer recovery support

Scientific article

15 July 2021

Abstract Introduction Peer recovery specialist (PRS) support has been used to varying degrees in community substance use and mental health treatment for a number of years. Although there has been some evidence of positive PRS impacts on...

Criminal Justice Diversion and the Importance of Program Retention

Scientific article

The United States has among the highest recidivism rates globally, with at least 1 in 4 rearrested within the same year of their initial charge. Many of these individuals are significantly impacted by poverty, mental illness, and substance...

From Policy to Possibility: Rethinking Municipal Impact Through Intersectionality and Prevention

Community update

14 April 2025

This blog post explores how Sweden’s municipal policymaking often falls short of its stated commitments to equality and evidence-based governance—particularly when it comes to addressing intersecting identities and structural inequalities...

Canadian Substance Use Costs and Harms Online Data Visualisation Tool

Guide

1 April 2025

CSUCH’s data visualisation tool can be used to estimate substance use trends across the country. The data helps inform programs, practices, and research to protect communities, save lives, and improve the well-being of people in Canada...

Alternatives to Incarceration (ATI) Reading List

Reading List

21 May 2024

Alternatives to Incarceration (ATI) encompass multi-sector approach on strategies and programs designed to divert individuals with substance use disorders away from conventional imprisonment. These alternatives address treatment, support...

Alternatives to Conviction or Punishment Available for People Who Use Drugs

Book

Substance/drug use disorders are multifactorial and biopsychosocial health disorders, associated with additional health problems, socio-economic inequalities, violence, criminal behaviour and social exclusion. In addition to the public...

Impact of Cannabis Legalization on Youth Contact with the Criminal Justice System

Book

4 November 2021

The Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction (CCSA) provided funding to Dr. Akwasi Owusu-Bempah and Dr. Scot Wortley from the University of Toronto to research youth interactions with the criminal justice system, including the nature...

Addressing mental health and substance use in the youth justice setting

Video and audio recordings

29 September 2021

This seminar took place on Wednesday 29th September and focuses on youth justice. It was the first in a series of seminars hosted by The University of Sydney after signing a Memorandum of Understanding with Youth Justice NSW in July 2021.