Canadian Institute for Substance Use Research

A photo of a beer bottle lying on a beach — Alcohol, parks, and public health
CISUR researchers develop an evidence-based public-health guide for municipalities considering allowing alcohol consumption on public properties like parks, beaches and plazas.
Read more

A close up image of a dried cannabis plant with a blue backgroun — BC legal cannabis market growing briskly
Regulated cannabis market in BC doubled between 2019 and 2020; products getting cheaper and more potent.
Read more

An image of various bottle openers and bottle caps — BC drinking more during COVID-19
New CISUR analysis shows more alcohol consumption, driven by private liquor stores.
Read more

Woman applying warning labels to alcohol containers — New alcohol warning label research published
Real-world CISUR co-led studies show alcohol warning labels reduce sales, change minds.
Read more

A photo of a woman looking over the water at night as she leans on a guardrail. She is looking back at the camera — Managed Alcohol Programs and COVID-19
How Managed Alcohol Programs, and CISUR-led research around them, is making a difference during the pandemic.
Read more

Cecilia Benoit wins Killam Prize
CISUR's Ceclia Benoit wins 2020 Killam Prize in Social Sciences, worth $100,000.
Read more

Building knowledge for societal change

The Canadian Institute for Substance Use Research (CISUR), formerly CARBC, is a network of individuals and groups dedicated to the study of substance use and addiction in support of community-wide efforts to promote health and reduce harm. Our research is used to inform a broad range of projects, reports, publications and initiatives aimed at providing all people in Canada and beyond with access to happier, healthier lives, whether using substances or not. In 2021, CISUR was named the World Health Organization Collaborating Centre on Alcohol and Public Health Policy Research. Read more about CISUR.