The Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse (CCSA) and the Addictions Research Centre (ARC) of the Correctional Service of Canada are partnering to offer the 2010 National Summer Institute (NSI) on Addictions. The aim of the Institute is to provide information on evidence-based research and approaches to service integration and knowledge transfer. Through plenary sessions and workshops, participants have opportunities to consider application and implementation issues at both service and systems levels.

The theme―Building Bridges: Justice, Addictions and Mental Health―will explore assessment, treatment and aftercare in the contexts of offenders, women, First Nations, and concurrent disorders. To see an outline of the program, click here.

Who is the keynote speaker?

The keynote speaker on the first day is Dr. Carlo DiClemente, PhD, Professor and Chair, Department of Psychology, University of Maryland, Baltimore, USA. Dr. DiClemente is internationally known as the co-creator of the Transtheoretical Model of Change and is the author of more than 140 publications. One of his more recent books is Addiction and Change: How Addictions Develop and Addicted People Recover.

The remaining faculty is comprised of leading Canadian experts in the addictions and corrections fields. Among others, they include:

• Wayne Skinner, Centre for Addictions and Mental Health
• Dr. Louise Nadeau, University of Montreal
• Gloria Chaim, Centre of Addictions and Mental Health
• Elder Tobasonakwut Kinew, Manitoba
• Dr. John Weekes, Correctional Service of Canada
• Imam Abdul Hai Patel, Toronto
• Dr. Raju Hajela, Canadian Society on Addiction Medicine

Who should attend?

The Institute is designed for 80–90 professionals in the substance abuse, health, mental health, social services, criminal justice, and corrections fields.

Participants are given multiple opportunities to share experiences and discuss issues related to the topics presented. In addition to the plenary sessions and workshops, participants can discuss issues of concern with the faculty and other participants at various points over the four days.

This year, the first day of the NSI will be open to individuals who wish to hear Dr. DiClemente speak but do not want to attend the complete Institute program. For more information, please click to see the registration form.

Why should I attend?

NSI provides participants with:

1. A forum for inter-sectoral dialogue and collaboration focused on issues that affect addictions treatment in Canada;
2. A network to exchange the latest evidence-based knowledge on criminal justice, addictions and mental health as it relates to screening, treatment and aftercare; and
3. A place to share and document issues, challenges and successes within the implementation of evidence-based addictions practices in Canada.

Where is the Institute being held?

NSI 2010 will take place at the beautiful Stanhope Beach Resort, located on the north shore of Prince Edward Island, about 20 minutes from Charlottetown. Participants are responsible for making their own reservations. The Stanhope Resort has a limited number of rooms; the room rate is $152/night, single or double, including breakfast. For more information about the resort, please go to www.stanhopebeachresort.com or phone 902.672.2701 (toll free: 866-672-2701). To reserve a room, email reservations@stanhopebeachresort.com.

Participants can also stay at other locations. To identify additional accommodation, visit PEI Tourism at www.peitourismguide.com.

How do I register for the Institute?

Click here to register. Please note, a limited number of spaces are available for NSI 2010. Registration will be sold on a first come, first served basis. To reserve your spot, please complete the registration form and make your cheque payable to the Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse.

NSI 2010
c/o Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse
75 Albert Street, Suite 500
Ottawa, ON K1P 5E7

If you have any questions, you can reach us at nsi@ccsa.ca.

Will there be simultaneous translation?

Yes, simultaneous interpretation in English and French will be available for all plenary sessions and selected workshops. All Institute-produced materials will be available in both official languages.

Is the Institute eligible toward continuing education credits?

Credit options at NSI 2010 - Both the Canadian Addiction Counsellors Certification Federation (CACCF) and McMaster University are offering credit options at NSI 2010. CACCF members will receive a certificate for 20 core hours of continuing education toward their recertification. Individuals interested in receiving credit toward McMaster’s Addiction Careworker Diploma or Addiction Studies Certificate can register at the University.