The Canadian Research Initiative in Substance Matters (CRISM) is a national network of over 500 researchers, service providers, policy makers and people with lived and living experience of substance use. Launched in 2013 by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) Institute of Neurosciences, Mental Health, and Addiction, CRISM’s overall objective is to translate evidence-based interventions into clinical practice, community-based prevention, and health system changes. The network’s intent is to support the creation of more effective, personal, and adoptable intervention programs in substance use care.
The objectives of CRISM are to:
- Identify and/or develop the most appropriate clinical and community-based prevention or treatment interventions for substance use/addiction,
- Provide evidence to support the enhancement of prevention and treatment services regarding substance use/addiction to decision makers and service providers, and
- Support improvement in the quality of care and quality of life for Canadians living with substance use/addiction.
The activities of the network contribute to achieving the network’s stated objectives towards research excellence while ensuring that the perspectives of key stakeholders (e.g., people with lived and living experience of substance use, service providers, policy makers, etc.) are incorporated to inform CRISM activities.
CRISM consists of five interdisciplinary regional teams, with networked hubs based out of Vancouver, Edmonton, Toronto, Montreal, and Halifax, referred to individually as Nodes and collectively as the CRISM Network, and they are the:
- BC Node, led by Drs. Evan Wood and Eugenia Socias
- Prairies Node, led by Dr. Elaine Hyshka
- Ontario Node, led by Dr. Jürgen Rehm
- Québec Node, led by Dr. Didier Jutras-Aswad
- Atlantic Node, led by Drs. Sherry Stewart & Mark Asbridge
- National Coordinating Centre, led by Dr. David Hodgins
- Indigenous Engagement Platform, led by Dr. Robert Henry
The CRISM network has five core platforms, based across its regional nodes: 1. National Research Support (Quebec Node); 2. Training Program (Atlantic Node); 3. Guideline Development (BC Node); 4. Knowledge Transfer (Ontario Node); 5. Indigenous Engagement (housed at the University of Saskatchewan). These platforms are coordinated and supported by the network’s National Coordinating Centre (University of Calgary). For more information about the national network, please see the national CRISM website.
CRISM BC
CRISM BC is currently in its second cycle of CIHR funding. Based within the BC Centre on Substance Use (BCCSU), the CRISM BC Node is a network of individuals representing People With Lived and Living Experience of substance use (PWLLE), family, and recovery advocacy groups as well as policy makers, health care providers, and research scientists affiliated with the University of British Columbia, the University of Victoria and Simon Fraser University among others.
In partnership with the BCCSU, the BC Node seeks to ensure that CRISM’s national research activities are meaningful and accessible to provincial health authorities, the Provincial Health Services Authority, the First Nations Health Authority, and the BC Ministry of Health. While the BCCSU is centrally involved in leading provincial guideline and training programs, CRISM BC seeks to ensure national research and training opportunities are shared with interested members of the BC CRISM node.
Become a Member
Interested researchers, service providers, community members, and decision-makers in BC are invited to become members of the CRISM BC Node. Members will have access to CRISM documents and available supports, and we anticipate that members will become more or less active in the Node depending on opportunities and interests.
For more information or inquiries, contact: [email protected].