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 Quebec
Provincial Drug Strategy or Framework
Substance Use Statistical Highlights for Quebec
Key Guiding Documents
In Quebec, the mandate of the Department of Health and Social Services is to develop the departmental vision on social services organization and delivery to the Quebec population. To that end, the overall objective of the Addictions Program is to prevent, reduce and treat problems through the implementation and strengthening of a range of addictions and gambling services across Quebec.
Quebec is divided into 16 administration and social services regions and two regions in the North, and includes 95 health and social services centres (CSSS) and close to 20 public rehabilitation centres. CSSSs are responsible for providing access to front-line services, so they accommodate a variety of clients and offer screening, outpatient detoxification and early intervention services. They also provide methadone maintenance services, refer clients whose screening results show signs of abuse or addiction to rehabilitation centres for alcoholic and addicted people (CRPAT) for specialized assessment, and provide support to family and friends and in the community.
In terms of secondary care, CRPATs provide specialized services to dependent people. With their intervention expertise, CRPATs assess the severity of the individual’s abuse or addiction problems and refer them to the appropriate specialized services. They also play a key role in terms of support, training and expertise for various partners in order to contribute to the integrated approach to addiction in each region.
In Quebec, in addition to the MSSS and CSSSs, five organizations form part of the addiction landscape:
Thanks to their mission, work and action, these stakeholders and partners contribute to improved practice in the addictions and gambling field in Quebec.
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- Resources Directory for Addiction: this directory is intended for anyone who may be referring clients with an addiction problem and should help individuals in difficulty to find a specialized resource.
- 24/7 Help Lines: Help Lines are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week for addicted people, their family and friends, social workers, gamblers, youth in distress and parents.
Drugs: Help and Referral
Help by phone: 1-800-265-2626
In the Montreal area, dial 514-527-2626
Gambling: Help and Referral
Help by phone: 1-800-461-0140
In the Montreal area, dial 514-527-0140
Tel-jeunes
Help by phone: 1-800-263-2266
In the Montreal area, dial 514-288-2266
La ligne parents
Help by phone: 1-800-361-5085
In the Montreal area, dial 514-288-5555
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A 2006-2011 interdepartmental action plan on drug abuse was developed and approved in Quebec. It stems from an exercise led by the ministry of Health and Social Services, with the collaboration of the ministries of Education, Leisure and Sport; Justice; Public Safety; Employment and Social Solidarity; Families, Seniors and the Status of Women; Immigration and Cultural Communities; and the Youth Secretariat, the Aboriginal Affairs Secretariat and the Auto Insurance Board of Québec.
The plan sets out 41 coordinated activities aimed at preventing, reducing and treating addiction within Quebec society. These activities fall under four categories: 1) prevention, 2) early intervention, 3) treatment and social reintegration, and 4) research.
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Où en sont les jeunes face au tabac, à l'alcool, aux drogues et au jeu? : rapport (in French only)
Québec Survey of Tobacco Use in High School Students (2002), volume 3
Institut de la statistique du Québec (ISQ), 2003
Gambling: Portrait of the Situation in 2002 [PDF]
Institut de la statistique du Québec (ISQ), 2003
Alcohol and Drugs: Portrait of the Situation in 2002 and Main Comparisons with 2000: Summary results [PDF]
Institut de la statistique du Québec (ISQ), 2003
2004 Canadian Addiction Survey (CAS)
CAS Report Highlights, 2004[PDF]
CAS Detailed Report, 2005 [PDF]
Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse (CCSA)
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Offre de service 2007-2012. Programme-service dependance [PDF] (in French only)
Ministry of Health and Social Services, 2007
Plan d’action interministériel en toxicomanie 2006-2011 [PDF] (in French only)
Plan d'action interministériel en toxicomanie 2006-2011 [website] (in French only)
Government of Quebec, 2006
Plan d’intervention sur la méthamphétamine (crystal meth) et les autres drogues de synthèse [PDF] (in French only)
Plan d’intervention sur la méthamphétamine (crystal meth) et les autres drogues de synthèse [website]
Government of Quebec, 2006
Cadre de référence et guide de bonnes pratiques – Pour orienter le traitement de la dépendance aux opioïdes avec une médication de substitution [PDF]
Cadre de référence et guide de bonnes pratiques – Pour orienter le traitement de la dépendance aux opioïdes avec une médication de substitution [website]
Ministry of Health and Social Services, 2006