The theme for IOS 2011 is
Transforming health promotion, prevention, treatment and recovery.
In today’s economic environment we need to make every investment count—and this is especially true when looking at how to effectively prevent and address problematic substance abuse. With a cost of more than $40 billion a year, the harmful use of alcohol and other drugs and substances is an enormous problem in Canada.
This year’s theme will focus on research as well as new and best practices over the entire continuum of care—from health promotion and prevention to treatment and recovery—in order to effectively invest limited funds to maximize the positive outcomes for all Canadians.
The conference program will focus on recognizing the value of the many resources—human as well as economic—invested in effectively preventing, identifying and addressing problematic substance use while promoting health, well-being and recovery. Substance use problems include those caused by alcohol, mental health issues, prescription and illicit drugs, tobacco and gambling.
Topics of interest for IOS:
Presentations are sought that stimulate ideas and discussion, promote learning of knowledge and skills, and energize attendees to participate in debate. Work that addresses issues faced by diverse groups in society—especially hard to reach populations and, First Nations, Inuit and Métis people—to reduce harms across multiple settings and various contexts is encouraged. We seek evaluated policies, frameworks, strategies, evidence-based best practices, emerging research and innovative knowledge exchange strategies to:
- Identify best and emerging practices in health promotion and prevention and harm reduction
- Guide early and brief intervention throughout the lifespan, including children, youth, adults and seniors
- Improve quality and access to effective mental health and addictions services
- Prevent and minimize harms to society as a whole
- Link addiction-related behaviour and neuroscience with appropriate interventions
- Build capacity for resilience and reduce the risk of harms
- Address homelessness, poverty and stigma
- Build the capacity for coordinated community-based responses to addiction and co-occurring health problems
The conference program will be developed in June. To stay up to date on all emerging IOS news, sign up for the IOS RSS feed.
To view the 2009 conference programs and presentations, visit the IOS 2009 website.