This section is for policy makers, health promotion planners and others working in policy or health promotion. These resources may be used to advance the provision of addiction and mental health care in health systems or to promote mental health within communities, organizations and populations. Resources include position statements, submissions to government committees, discussion papers, toolkits, mental health policies and health strategies.
What's New
October 2011
- CAMH experts lend testimony in Bill C-10 hearings
Drug use is highly prevalent among incarcerated people, with up to 90% of the standing prison population involved in illicit substance use. Recently the Conservative government’s much discussed omnibus crime bill passed second reading. Bill C-10, “An Act to enact the Justice for Victims of Terrorism Act and to amend the State Immunity Act, the Criminal Code, the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, the Corrections and Conditional Release Act, the Youth Criminal Justice Act, the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act and other Acts,” is currently being considered by House of Commons committees. The Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security is holding a series of hearings on the topic of drugs and alcohol in the national corrections system. On October 18, this committee heard expert testimony from Dr. Sandy Simpson, Clinical Director of CAMH's Law and Mental Health Program, and Wayne Skinner, Deputy Director of the Addictions Program at CAMH.
- CAMH Response to AGCO Regulatory Review of Responsible Gambling (PDF)
In February 2011, the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) announced plans to develop a new risk-based regulatory framework to govern gambling in the province. The AGCO conducted consultations on the structure of this new framework, and on September 28, 2011, representatives of CAMH and the Problem Gambling Institute of Ontario (PGIO) participated in a roundtable discussion on the regulation of gambling with staff from the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario. This submission was sent to the AGCO to summarize and follow up on this discussion.
Featured Resources
Taking Stock of Tobacco Control: Looking Back, Looking Forward
A CAMH Knowledgex video
Dr. Kenneth E. Warner of the University of Michigan, School of Public Health presents the 2011 CAMH Archibald Lecture on the history of and prospects for tobacco control and smoking cessation, examining the success of different measures put in place in the US since the early 1960s.
- Ontario Chronic Disease Prevention Alliance's (OCDPA) Evidence-Informed Messages
These messages can be used by individuals, groups and organizations to focus attention and promote collective action on chronic disease prevention issues and to improve the health of Ontarians. The messages were developed by the OCDPA, in consultation with CAMH and other external experts. The evidence-informed messages address the following chronic disease risk factors:
- Policy eUpdate
A weekly digest of news clippings and events relevant to mental health and addictions policy in Canada.
- Privatization of Alcohol (PDF)
CAMH, the Ontario Public Health Association and Mothers Against Drunk Driving sent a letter to Premier Dalton McGuinty expressing concern about the proposed privatization of alcohol sales. The letter encourages the government to give full consideration to the health and social impacts of such a move.
- City of Toronto Planning and Growth Management Committee (PDF)
In May, the CAMH public policy unit made a deputation to the City of Toronto’s Planning and Growth Management Committee. The deputation urged the committee to reject any land use restrictions that constitute discrimination against people who require supportive housing, including land use separation requirements.
- Addressing Integration of Mental Health and Addictions: Discussion Paper Submitted to the Select Committee on Mental Health and Addictions (PDF)
CAMH, in conjunction with five provincial partners representing community service providers and consumers, was asked to provide advice on improved integration of mental health and addictions services. The organizations prepared a paper for the Ministry of Health, with copies directed to the Select Committee on Mental Health and Addictions.
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