CRISM is the Canadian Research Initiative in Substance Misuse.

Funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), CRISM is a national network of researchers, service providers, policy makers and people with lived experience.  CRISM ’s overall objective is to translate evidence-based interventions for substance misuse into clinical practice, community-based prevention, harm reduction, and health system changes.  Our intent is to support the creation of more effective, personal, and adoptable intervention programs and services. The National CRISM website may be found at: www.crism.ca

Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba have excellent researchers investigating substance misuse/addiction interventions (including prevention, harm reduction and specialty-based addiction treatment) delivered in the clinic, the community, and in academic research settings.  Each Province funds treatment and prevention of substance use/addiction and has developed strategic plans through their respective Ministries of Health and Regional Health Authorities.  But to date, these assets have operated either in isolation, or as part of small provincial teams.

Interested researchers, service providers, and decision-makers in Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and the North West Territories are invited to become members of the CRISM Prairie Node. Members will have access to CRISM resources and support, and we anticipate that Members will become more or less active in the Node depending on opportunities and interests. If you would like to become affiliated with the CRISM Prairie Node, please access the online survey link below. It takes no more than 10 minutes to complete the questions.  The survey asks about you and your interests, and by completing it, you will help us tailor regional Node activities to your interests. The information we collect will be used for planning purposes, will stored securely in a password-protected network, and will be used to develop a Node member database.

Funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research

Supported by

With CRISM

Meetings/Events

• 2nd Annual Prairie Node Gathering

News/Information

• The Alberta Addiction and Mental Health Research Partnership Program and the Addictions & Mental Health Strategic Clinical Network of Alberta Health Services have partnered with CRISM | Prairies. Find out more here!
• Lower Risk Cannabis Use Guidelines
• CRISM releases Management of opioid use disorders: A national clinical practice guideline
  • CMAJ Synopsis 
  • CRISM_NationalGuideline_OUD [ENG]
  • CRISM_NationalGuideline_OUD [FRENCH]

Clinical Studies

• The OPTIMA trial is currently recruiting participants in the Calgary area
  • OPTIMA Project Information
  • How to get involved

Elsewhere

Meetings/Events 

News/Information

Current CRISM Prairies e-Newsletter

• Alberta Health Addiction and Mental Health is conducting a survey to develop regulations and standards for service providers and treatment facilities. Access survey here
• AHS Learning Opportunity – ODT Virtual Health Learning Session Poster 2018-2019
• Canadian Harm Reduction Policy Project results released
  • CHARPP Framework description
  • CHARPP Framework Results
  • National synthesis
• Harm Reduction Conference – Edmonton, AB Oct 3-5, 2018
• Management of Opioid Use Disorders: a national clinical practice guideline
• OPTIMA Alberta Trial Launch