Canadian Institute for Substance Use Research

@uviccisur.bsky.social

Promoting health, reducing harm. Official account of UVic's Canadian Institute for Substance Use Research.

Congrats to all the @uvic.ca CIHR Project Grant recipients, including CISUR scientist Karen Urbanoski for "Evolution of prescribed safer supply in Canada: Shifting policy landscapes and implications for population health." www.uvic.ca/research-inn... @uvichealth.bsky.social

CIHR program funding July 2026 - University of Victoria - University of Victoria

More than $8.4 million awarded to UVic researchers through federal CIHR programs

uvic.ca

“It's a pretty potentially dangerous combination, giving you the energy to do crazy, daft things,” Stockwell said, “and something that takes away the fear of the consequences.”

The Examination@theexamination.org · 2w ago

For over a decade, @redbull.com funded studies that disputed the risks of consuming energy drinks and alcohol together — and research tied to the company has been used to roll back public health regulations in Canada and elsewhere. Read our latest investigation:

Alcohol Intake and Health Study: No Protective Effect at Low Levels, With Mortality Increasing to 1 in 25 at 14 Drinks Per Week (new #openaccess in @jsadjournal.bsky.social) @camhnews.bsky.social @uviccisur.bsky.social @brownpublichealth.bsky.social @hsph.harvard.edu www.jsad.com/doi/full/10....

Alcohol Intake and Health Study: No Protective Effect at Low Levels, With Mortality Increasing to 1 in 25 at 14 Drinks Per Week: Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs: Vol 87, No 4

Objective: The purpose of this study was to estimate the lifetime risk of alcohol-attributable mortality and morbidity in the United States based on a person’s average lifetime weekly alcohol consumption to assess the impact of per-occasion alcohol consumption on health. Method: Lifetime risks were estimated using a cause-specific modeling approach that combined exposure data from national health surveys, relative risks, population data from the U.S. Census Bureau, mortality data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and morbidity data from the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation. A narrative review assessed the health impact of per-occasion alcohol consumption on health. Results: At low levels of consumption, no protective net effect of alcohol consumption on health was observed. Elevated mortality and morbidity risks were associated with alcohol consumption starting at relatively low levels. Males consuming >6.5 (95% CI [<1, 13.5]) and females consuming >7.0 (95% CI [<1, 11.5]) drinks per week had life-time alcohol-attributable mortality risks >1:1,000. At >8.5 (95% CI [2.5, 13]) drinks per week for both males and females, these risks increased to >1:100. At 14 drinks per week for males (the upper limit of the former Dietary Guidelines for males), the risk of an alcohol-caused death was 1:25 (4%). Drinking patterns also impacted risk. Above 1 drink per occasion, higher consumption was associated with progressively increased risks of breast cancer, cardiovascular disease, and injury. Conclusions: Alcohol consumption, including at what may be perceived as “moderate” levels, is associated with increased mortality and morbidity risks. These results support tightening alcohol use guidance in the United States, for both males and females, to no more than 1 drink per day. Public health significance statement: The Alcohol Intake and Health Study shows that for Americans, even what is socially considered “moderate drinking” increases the risk of dying or developing health problems, helping people better understand the net health impact of alcohol. Furthermore, by identifying the levels of alcohol use that raise the risk of cancer, cardiovascular disease, and injury, these findings can guide individuals, families, and communities in making safer choices about drinking patterns. The results also support changing the U.S. Dietary Guidelines on alcohol to recommend that current adult drinkers consume 1 drink or less in a day.

jsad.com

“I’m glad that they had a message that corresponds with our science, and that is that less is best,” said Dr. Timothy Naimi, director of CISUR and one of the study’s authors. “But giving people quantity information is necessary to make a truly informative guideline.” www.cnn.com/2026/06/09/h...

A government-commissioned study found drinking risks. US guidelines didn’t feature its findings | CNN

A study commissioned by President Joe Biden’s administration to investigate alcohol-related health harms was released independently on Tuesday, after President Donald Trump’s administration decided no...

cnn.com

"Developing a provincial alcohol strategy would help pave the way for stronger public-health-oriented alcohol policies, which we have seen in jurisdictions like Northwest Territories and Newfoundland in recent years." -CISUR director Tim Naimi www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...

Report recommends warning labels on booze as B.C. alcohol use above national levels | CBC News

As of 2023, people in B.C. consume an average of 8.8 drinks per week, compared with the national average of 8.2, a new report says.

cbc.ca

“I believe that people are generally good, and when given the right evidence and stories, we’re built to be compassionate.” Five months in, @streetdrjill has 100,000 followers and comments flooded with shows of support and changing minds. 🩺📱 Sydney Lobe reports.

How Street Dr. Jill Became BC’s Favourite Influencer | The Tyee

If elected officials won’t heed experts, the outreach physician says, maybe they’ll listen to her 100,000 followers.

thetyee.ca

Dr. Timothy Naimi, Director of the Canadian Institute for Substance Use Research and Professor in the Division of Medical Sciences at UVic, discusses an important development in alcohol consumption which has widespread implications for health and society. theconversation.com/why-is-alcoh...

Why is alcohol use declining in Canada?

There are several possible contributors to the recent trend of declining alcohol sales in Canada, from increased health concerns to inflation.

theconversation.com

"Bernie Pauly, a professor in the University of Victoria school of nursing and a scientist with CISUR, said B.C. is stuck in a cycle of “ongoing, tragic and preventable loss,” because it is still operating in a criminalized environment of prohibition." thetyee.ca/News/2026/04...

BC’s Toxic Drug Crisis Hits a Grim 10-Year Anniversary | The Tyee

More than 18,000 British Columbians have been killed and there’s no end in sight.

thetyee.ca