Policy library

Almost a year after Hamilton city councillors voted to decriminalize the possession of small amounts of illegal drugs, CBC Hamilton has learned city officials still haven't submitted that request for exemption to Health Canada. Researchers and advocates have mixed feelings about whether the delay is "inexcusable" or part of "good faith" efforts.

The upcoming municipal election has prompted the Registered Nurses’ Association of Ontario to call on mayoral candidates across Ontario to support the decriminalization of simple drug possession.

The opioid crisis—at its root—is an epidemic of an endless search for relief. More than eight people are dying per day in Ontario due to opioid overdoses. In Canada, there were nearly 20 deaths a day between the months of January and June 2022. As many as 98 percent of these overdoses are classified as accidental.

Nurses throughout Ontario are working to provide help to those affected by this crisis.

Members of the community joined local healthcare organizations in participating in an FASD Awareness Family Walk on September 9.

Nurse practitioner-led clinic operating for two days a week out of the Brock Mission.

Sudbury opioid deaths cited as an example of why a harm reduction approach is needed to prevent overdose deaths connected to substance abuse

Homelessness is most visceral in our local communities. But it demands an ambitious national perspective

'It can happen to anybody,' says Kitchener mom ahead of Overdose Awareness Day

ʻHelp is hereʼ: Mobile outreach unit brings treatment to opioid addicts in Norfolk County

Addiction treatment clinic opens at Lindsay's Ross Memorial Hospital

Why letting users know what's in the drugs they're taking is important as opioid deaths rise

In downtown Toronto, street nurse Roxie Danielson is meeting with new clients at a shelter.

Family and community come together to reduce harm and build a healthier future for those battling substance-use disorder.

This toolkit supports the implementation of evidence-based, youth-led mental health promotion and substance use prevention initiatives in school settings. It provides users with a comprehensive step-by-step understanding of the YMHAC initiative and all of its components.

This resource supports undergraduate educators in integrating mental health and substance use knowledge and skills into nursing curriculums.

Action alerts are a political advocacy tool used by RNAO to engage our 50,400+ members, and the public related to critical issues pertaining to mental health and substance use.

RNAO provided feedback in response to a federal government consultation on the intent to develop new regulations under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act with respect to supervised consumption sites and services.

This is a one day virtual event for nurse practitioners (NP) to network, engage and learn. We will explore topics related to policy, clinical practice, quality improvement (QI) and patient safety, leadership, and research.