In 2008, the Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse (CCSA) conducted a telephone survey of 15 professional colleges and associations across Canada. The purpose was to gain a better understanding of the structure, functions and operations of professional health and human service organizations in Canada. More importantly, the interviewees were asked about the implications of forming a professional body for the substance abuse field in Canada, both positive and negative.
A central finding of the survey concerned the viability of forming a professional organization, either in the form of a college or national association. There was strong consensus that forming a college is a long and arduous process requiring incorporation in each province and territory. The prospect of forming an association for the substance abuse field was viewed more positively. A national association could serve, without regulation or legislation, the interests of substance abuse providers across the country.
Overall, several options were explored in this study and pointed to considerable challenges and opportunities inherent in formalizing a professional organization specific to Canada's substance abuse field. The full report, Models of Professionalism, is available online.