Translating substance use research into practice and policy

CRISM is a national network of researchers, service providers, policy makers, and people with lived experience of substance use. Its main goal is to translate evidence-based interventions into clinical practice, community prevention, harm reduction, and health system improvements. The aim is to support the creation of more effective, personalized, and adoptable programs and services.

Substance use disorders are pressing and complex health issues. Effective interventions require evidence-based approaches, an understanding of biological, psychosocial, and social factors, and recognition of the influence of cultural, societal, and policy contexts. While many intervention modalities have proven results, they are not yet widely implemented.

To address these translation and implementation gaps, the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), through its Institute for Neurosciences, Mental Health, and Addiction (INMHA), developed the Canadian Research Initiative in Substance Matters (CRISM) (previously known as the Canadian Research Initiative in Substance Misuse). CRISM was designed to facilitate communication and collaboration across the pillars of addiction service providers, researchers, policy-makers, patients, and people who use substances. CRISM is a network that consists of five regional teams (referred to as Nodes), located in BC, the Prairies, Ontario, Québec, and the Atlantic region.

Provide evidence to support the enhancement of prevention and treatment services regarding substance use to decision makers and service providers

Identify and/or develop the most appropriate clinical and community-based interventions for substance use disorders

Support improvement in the quality of life for Canadians living with substance use

New funding for Indigenous research

The Honourable Ya’ara Saks, Minister of Mental Health and Addictions and Associate Minister of Health, announced a $6 million investment through the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) and the Canadian Drugs and Substances Strategy (CDSS) to expand and strengthen the Canadian Research Initiative on Substance Matters (CRISM).

This funding includes $4 million to establish a Network Coordinating Centre and $2 million to develop an Indigenous Engagement Platform, which will collaborate across the research network.

Dr. David Hodgins (University of Calgary) will lead the CRISM Network Coordinating Centre.

Dr. Hodgins and his team will establish four core platforms. One will co-create knowledge mobilization products and activities with stakeholders and partners. Another will focus on training and capacity building, offering research placements, scholarships, and mentorship opportunities for early career researchers and Indigenous scholars across all network nodes. The Network Coordinating Centre will also host a trials and project support platform to facilitate clinical trials, research studies, and data sharing. Finally, a platform will develop processes and tools for producing guidelines and best practice documents.

Dr. Robert Henry (University of Saskatchewan) will lead the development of the CRISM Indigenous Engagement Platform

Using distinctions-based and community-led approaches, Dr. Henry and his team will strengthen Indigenous involvement across CRISM’s regional nodes. They will advise the Network Coordinating Centre on Indigenous research priorities, enhance Indigenous engagement at all levels, and support CRISM in improving Indigenous health and well-being through Indigenous-driven efforts. The platform will focus on five core pillars: knowledge translation and mobilization; training Indigenous students; developing Indigenous research priorities with community partners; improving Indigenous methodologies within CRISM; and creating an Indigenous evaluation framework.

About

CRISM is happy to inform you of the following changes to its name:

English: Canadian research initiative in substance Matters

French : Initiative canadienne de recherche sur les impacts des substances psychoactives

The term «Misuse» in the name has been contentious for some time, with node members calling to change it. To keep the CRISM acronym and branding, «Matters» is replacing misuse as it is more accurate to the consortium's reach and breath. French required 2 changes, thus modifying the acronym from ICRAS to ICRIS. Thank you for being supportive of this change.

Translating substance use research into practice and policy

Topic

Emergency care

decriminalisation

Harm reduction

Law enforcement/incarceration

Opioid agonist treatment

Prescription monitoring

Psychosocial intervention

Recovery

Sexually transmitted & blood-borne infections

Substance

Alcohol

Cannabis

Injectable drug use

Opioids

Tobacco/nicotine

Stimulants