The information presented in this section is meant to provide an overview of key issues and activities for each province and territory across Canada. Please help us to keep this section as comprehensive and up to date as possible by contacting us with your comments, revisions, updates and additions.
Key Substance Abuse-Related Agencies
Treatment Agencies in Nova Scotia
Provincial Drug Strategy or Framework
Substance Use Statistical Highlights for Nova Scotia
Key Guiding Documents
The Nova Scotia Department of Health oversees the administration of Addiction Services through the nine District Health Authorities. The Authorities are responsible for coordinating alcohol, other drugs and gambling education, prevention and treatment. The provincial Department of Health Promotion and Protection also provides a variety of addiction prevention services.
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For information about the many treatment services available throughout Nova Scotia and how to contact them visit
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The Department of Justice and the Department of Health Promotion and Protection are leading an inter-departmental collaboration on the development of a Nova Scotia Drug Strategy. A Drug Strategy Roundtable is scheduled for April 5, 2007, to review the draft framework for a Nova Scotia Drug Strategy.
A Nova Scotia Alcohol Strategy is well underway and is scheduled to be released in the spring of 2007. Addiction Services staff and other key stakeholders have been instrumental in the development of the alcohol strategy. While it complements the national strategy, it is tailored to meet the needs of Nova Scotians. For more information contact the Department of Health Promotion and Protection.
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2004 Canadian Addiction Survey (CAS)
CAS Report Highlights, 2004[PDF]
CAS Detailed Report, 2005 [PDF]
Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse (CCSA)
Canadian Community Epidemiology Network on Drug Use (CCENDU) Provincial Data
Information on prevalence, enforcement, treatment, mortality, morbidity and HIV/AIDS/HCV broken down by province and territory.
Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse (CCSA) website
The Costs of Substance Abuse in Canada 2002: Highlights [PDF]
Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse (CCSA), March 2006
Nova Scotia Student Drug Use 2007
Addiction Services, Department of Health,
Government of Nova Scotia, 2007
Highlights [PDF]
Technical Report [PDF]
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Changing the Culture of Alcohol Use in Nova Scotia - An Alcohol Strategy to Reduce the Burden of Alcohol-Related Harm in Nova Scotia [PDF]
Department of Health Promotion Addiction Services Alcohol Task Group, 2007
First Annual Report: Community Partnerships on Prescription Drug Abuse 2004/05
Cape Breton District Health Authority, 2005