Key Documents/Best Practice Guidelines/References
Clearing the Smoke on Cannabis
This series, created by the Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse (CCSA), objectively looks at how marijuana use affects human functioning and development, and discusses implications for policy and practice. Prepared by expert researchers in the field and peer reviewed, this series of reports explores the impact of:
- Marijuana on mental health and cognitive functioning, such as memory, attention and thinking
- Smoking marijuana while pregnant
- Marijuana use on driving
- Marijuana on respiratory functioning
The series also reviews the evidence on the use of marijuana for medical purposes.
The Effects of Youth Cannabis Use during Adolescence, is an online learning module based on CCSA’s comprehensive report of the same name, which brings together the best, most current research and identifies what we know, what we don’t know and what is emerging on the issue of youth cannabis use.
Using an interactive, digital format the module answers the following questions:
- What are the effects of youth cannabis use on the brain and behaviour?
- Is there a link between cannabis use and mental health?
- Is cannabis addictive?
- What interventions are available for cannabis use disorders?
Patient Handouts
- Connex Ontario (1-800-565-8603) provides free, confidential health services for people living with substance use problems. A live operator is available 24/7 who can connect your patient with programs in your local community.
- What’s With Weed Website – patient self quiz, check how you compare to others, risks and how to reduce them, links, and help.
- Video Series - Teens and Substance Misuse – highlights information about talking to teens about alcohol and other drugs, factors that put teens at risk for alcohol and other drug use, signs of alcohol and other drug use in teens, risks for teens of using alcohol and other drugs, what to do if you suspect a teen is using alcohol or other drugs, setting boundaries and consequences for teens regarding substance use.
- “Risks of Cannabis on Fertility, Pregnancy, Breastfeeding and Parenting” is a new patient resource from Best Start for people who are thinking about becoming parents, are pregnant, or who are new parents.
- “Know the Health Facts on Cannabis” by the Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse.
- “Parents: Help your teen understand what’s fact and fiction about marijuana” by the Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse.
- “Parent Action Pack: Stats, Facts and Talking Points About Alcohol and Other Drugs” by Parent Action on Drugs
Point of Care Tools
Primary Care Addiction Toolkit
This practical reference has been created for healthcare providers who work in a primary care setting and who have patients with substance use problems. The toolkit addresses common clinical issues, as well as providing useful clinical tools and resources for patients.
The Primary Care Addiction Toolkit includes four modules:
Programs and Services
- Connex Ontario
Connex Ontario (1-800-565-8603) provides free, confidential health services for people living with substance use problems. A live operator is available 24 hours a day who can connect your patient with programs in your community. - Heartspace
Heartspace, a program offered through Addiction Services of Thames Valley, is a specialized prevention, early identification, education, and treatment program for women who are pregnant, parenting and substance-involved and their children (prenatal – 6 years of age).