Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on
Legal and Constitutional Affairs
Issue 22 - Appendix A - Appendix 5900-2.40/L1-C-15, 22 "10"
Note:
The following appendix provides answers to questions raised by senators at the
November 26 meeting of the committee.
For the complete evidence of that meeting, refer to Issue No. 20.
Appendix 5900-2.40/L1-C-15, 22 "10"
Dear Ms. Richardson,
Further to the Senate Committee hearing on November 26th, please find the attached document listing treatment services in Canada. Also included below is information addressing questions and issues that were raised by the Senators during the hearing.
Data on the percentage of Canadians who reported using cannabis for medical reasons, including the exact wording of the question.
o According to the 2004 Canadian Addiction Survey, about 14% of Canadians aged 15 and older reported using cannabis in the past 12 months (corresponds to about 3.6 million Canadians).
o This past-year users were then asked "In the past 12 months, have you intentionally used marijuana, cannabis, or hashish to treat pain, nausea, glaucoma, multiple sclerosis, depression or any other medical condition?" Findings revealed that 29% of past year users answered "Yes" (corresponds to 1.05 million Canadians).
Data on the number of drug traffickers that are drug users
o This item will take some research in order to provide an informed response. There is no publicly accessible data that we are familiar with at this time that provides a reliable estimate. According to a preliminary review of the research, as well as anecdotal evidence, virtually all street-level traffickers are supporting their own personal habits. At the ‘higher’ level, for example those coordinating larger-scale operations in conjunction with organized crime, our understanding is that there is a lower level of dependence – however there is less research available speaking to this population. If the Senate Committee is interested in a more complete review CCSA is open to discussing possible project parameters.
A list of the treatment programs by province/territory
o A list of the treatment programs that have submitted information to CCSA’s voluntary database has been generated and is attached to this e-mail. It should be noted that there is no standardized accreditation process in Canada against which to rate ‘approved’ treatment programs, therefore no official, centralized records available through, for example, Health Canada.
o If the Committee is interested in investigating further, we would encourage them to access the Treatment Services database, where they can conduct any searches that may be of particular interest to them. The database is available at: http://www.ccsa.ca/Eng/KnowledgeCentre/OurDatabases/TreatmentServices/Pages/default.aspx. CCSA will, of course, be pleased to offer any assistance necessary.
A copy of the following document: Best Practices: Treatment and Rehabilitation for Driving While Impaired Offenders (2004).
o This document is available at: http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/hc-ps/alt_formats/hecs-sesc/pdf/pubs/adp-apd/bp_treatment-mp_traitement/treatment_rehab_driving_impaired_practices.pdf
At one point the Committee indicated they wanted a copy of the Cost Study report, however, at the end of the hearing the Chair stated that a copy of this report was included in the meeting package.
o If the Committee does need to access the Cost Study, it can be found here: http://www.ccsa.ca/Eng/Priorities/Research/CostStudy/Pages/default.aspx
If there are further questions, or if further information is required, CCSA would be pleased to assist the Committee.
Michel Perron
Chief Executive Officer / Premier dirigeant
Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse / Centre canadien de lutte contre l'alcoolisme et les toxicomanies
75 Albert Street, Suite 500 / 75, rue Albert, bureau 500
Ottawa, (Ontario) K1P 5E7
Tel / Tél: 613-235-4048 x227
Fax / Téléc: 613-235-8101
Email / courriel: mperron@ccsa.ca
Blog address: http://michelperron.blogspot.com/
www.ccsa.ca