Addressing Substance Misuse Projects

Rethinking Conversation Around Youth Substance Use
The Students Commission of Canada worked with the Pan-Canadian Joint Consortium for School Health (JCSH) to develop a series of educational tools to share and integrate the current evidence and initiatives regarding the prevention and reduction of substance-related harms among youth. This multi-media asset consists of three videos: one for youth in grades 6 to 8, one for youth in grade 9-12 and one for adult allies and educators.

Preventing Substance-Related Harms Among Youth: A Blueprint for Action
The Students Commission of Canada partnered with the Public Health Agency of Canada to implement the Blueprint for Action, a model for preventing substance-related harms among youth. Rooted in the School Matters Forum and informed by the Youth Who Thrive project, this model emphasizes evidence-based, tailored interventions over one-size-fits-all approaches. It provides school stakeholders with knowledge products like infographics and training sessions to engage networks and foster long-term prevention strategies.

Preventing and Reducing Harms Associated with Cannabis Vaping
The Students Commission of Canada conducted a literature review for the Public Health Agency of Canada on youth cannabis vaping and harm reduction messaging. This review identified key themes: motivations for vaping cannabis, risks of polysubstance use, and dangers of illicit product sources. Based on these findings, the SCC created public education products, shared via social media, to help Canadian youth make informed decisions and reduce vaping-related harms.

Smokefree Activists Toolkit
This project empowers youth to create smokefree environments by highlighting the impact of smoking on others, especially younger peers. It offers tools like a free Smokefree Spaces Activist Toolkit and posters to support advocacy efforts. By engaging youth in participatory activities, the project aims to protect their health and rights and promote smokefree norms.

Influence in Action
Influence in Action," a program by the Students Commission, trains youth as peer influencers to address substance use and promote informed decision-making among their classmates. Funded by Health Canada, the initiative enhances critical thinking and communication skills, focusing on cannabis awareness, and measures changes in student attitudes through evaluations.

Health Canada’s Youth Leadership Team on Tobacco and Vaping (Formerly the National Youth Leadership Team (NYLT)
Health Canada’s Youth Leadership Team on Tobacco and Vaping is a group of dedicated young Canadians focused on improving health outcomes related to substance use among youth. By providing evidence-based information on tobacco, cannabis, and vaping, they empower their peers to make informed decisions. Members like Mowahib Hassan Doualeh, Ethan Turnbull, Leejoo Hwang, Neeharika Boni Bangari, and Lachlan Brown leverage their diverse experiences to advocate for effective policies and raise awareness in their communities.