Psychoactive Substances

Psychoactive substances are natural or synthetic substances that act on the central nervous system and alter mental processes such as mood, perception, cognition, consciousness, and behaviour. These substances may be legally prescribed medications (e.g., pain medications or sedatives), legally available substances such as alcohol or caffeine, or controlled or illicit drugs. Psychoactive substances can be used for medical, social, cultural, or recreational purposes, but some carry risks of misuse, dependence, and health or social harms when used in harmful ways. 

Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction (CCSA) Issues of Substance

 - 
Halifax
, 
Canada

Immerse yourself with up to 1,000 expected attendees in three full days of learning at CCSA’s Issues of Substance. With over 120 presentations scheduled to take place, there are plenty of opportunities to share knowledge, collaborate and help shape the future of substance use health during this most crucial time. Don’t miss it! Join us November 17–19 at the Halifax Convention Centre.

Be Part of the Future in Halifax!

The Drug Crisis Part 2: Where Do We Go?

 - Online

The drug crisis is one of Canada’s most pressing issues and is impacting communities from coast to coast to coast. Ever wonder how it became a crisis or what can be done about it? Join us for a two-part webinar to explore and learn, featuring Dr. Alexander Caudarella, CEO of the Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction.

Time: 5PM UK Time

 

The Drug Crisis Part 1 — How Did We Get Here?

 - Online

The drug crisis is one of Canada’s most pressing issues and is impacting communities from coast to coast to coast. Ever wonder how it became a crisis or what can be done about it? Join us for a two-part webinar to explore and learn, featuring Dr. Alexander Caudarella, CEO of the Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction.

Time: 5PM UK Time

Annual Report to the Parliament on Drug Addictions in Italy

Report
The 2025 Annual Report to the Parliament on Drug Addictions in Italy offers a comprehensive overview of the current drug addiction landscape. Despite a slight decline in youth drug use for the first time since 2018, the report highlights...

lmplementing MyAIM™ as a Smartphone-based App Intervention for Youth Stimulant Use in a Middle-Income Country: Challenges and Proposed Solutions

Video and audio recordings
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The rise of stimulant use is a global concern as highlighted by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). This is especially true for Southeast Asian nations where there has been steady increase in stimulant seizures yearly. Although interventions for stimulant use are present, access to them remains an issue.

Prevalence of Psilocybin Use in Vaping and Associated Factors: A Study among Amphetamine-type Stimulants (ATS) Use Disorder in Malaysia

Video and audio recordings
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The emergence of New Psychoactive Substances (NPS), including synthetic psilocybin, has raised concern among health experts due to the numerous health and socioeconomic consequences. The current trend is shifting to the hazardous use of synthetic psilocybin in vaping, and little is known about the prevalence of use, specifically among ATS users.

Clinical and Neurophysiological Evaluation of qEEG-Guided Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) Therapy in Methamphetamine Dependence: A Case Series Report at the National Narcotics Board Rehabilitation Center of the Republic of Indonesia

Video and audio recordings
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Methamphetamine dependence is a national problem with variable therapeutic success rates. Innovative approaches such as neuromodulation are required to enhance rehabilitation effectiveness. Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) is a non-invasive brain stimulation technique that can modulate the neural circuits involved in addiction.

Strengthening the Backbone of Drug Treatment: Advancing Quality Standards for Addiction Counselors in Indonesia

Video and audio recordings
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The issue of psychoactive substance misuse remains a serious public health challenge globally and nationally. In Indonesia, 1.73% of the population—or approximately 3,337,000 individuals aged 15 to 64—reported substance use within the past year (Indonesia Drug Report 2024). Of those, only 5,878 accessed rehabilitation services facilitated by the National Narcotics Agency, the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Social Affairs, and affiliated community organizations.