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National Addictions Awareness Week(NAAW)
Welcome to National Addictions Awareness Week—a time to pause, reflect, and
recognize the profound impact of addiction on individuals, families, and communities
across Canada. This week, CMHA SCB joins the Canadian Centre on Substance
Use and Addiction (CCSA) under the theme of “Forging Connections.” Together, we’re
shining a light on the realities of addiction, breaking down barriers of stigma, and
building bridges to understanding, support, and compassion.
At the heart of this week is our Someone’s Someone campaign. It’s more than a
hashtag or a slogan; it’s a movement that reminds us that every person facing addiction
is someone’s friend, sibling, parent, or loved one. They are someone’s someone, and
they deserve our empathy and support, free from judgment.
Throughout this week, we’re using every channel available to educate and engage.
Across social media, we’re breaking down myths, sharing stories, and opening up
conversations that too often stay in the dark. We’ve created a series of daily carousels
exploring the impact of addiction—from its effects on individuals to the profound ripple
effect it has on families and communities. Each piece of content has been crafted to
bring us closer to a place of understanding and collective action.
But we’re not just here to inform; we’re here to inspire. The continuum of care model,
the push for harm reduction, and every effort made this week are part of a larger
mission—to forge connections that last beyond this week, connections that will spark
real change in the way we approach addiction. Every post, every story shared, and
every conversation started adds up to a collective movement toward a more
compassionate future.
So, join us on this journey. Follow along on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn.
Let’s remember that behind every statistic, there’s a human story. And together, let’s forge
the connections that help lift us all. Because everyone is Someone’s Someone.
If you or a loved one is in need of support, CMHA SCB is here to help. Contact us or
call ConnexOntario at 1-866-531-2600.
The theme for NAAW this year is Forging Connections. Working in the substance use health field and addressing its challenges can result in different experiences, ideas and opinions for individuals, families and communities. At times, it can be challenging to agree on the best ways to address these issues in Canada.
Join Us for Two Complimentary Virtual Presentations
focusing on challenging misconceptions/emerging issues
Dr. Ginette Poulin, Medical Director, Concurrent Disorders at Waypoint Centre
November 26 | 10 AM – 12 PM
Key Topics:
Truth or Myth: discussion and dispelling of some of the most common perceptions in addiction
Current trends and impacts of Addiction issues in Canada including the various categories of substances
Underlying factors contributing to Addiction
Harm Reduction and the continuum of care
Where are we now? Evidence-based and evidence-informed treatments
Dr. Poulin received her Doctor of Medicine from the University of Ottawa in 2008 and completed her family medicine residency at the University of Manitoba in 2010, with a Continued Added Competency in Addiction Medicine from the College of Family Physicians of Canada in 2019 and her fellowship in 2022. She received her International Certification in Addiction Medicine in 2015 and her Canadian Certified Physician Executive certificate in 2021. She is experienced both rural and urban health care in Manitoba and Ontario. She serves vulnerable populations suffering from mental health and addictions issues in both provinces.
Dr. Poulin has held different leadership positions as the Medical Director of the Addiction Foundation of Manitoba, Medical Lead for RAAM clinics with Shared Health and Medical Director of Concurrent Disorder at Waypoint Centre for Mental Health Care. In addition, she is involved in initiating, developing and executing different platforms on the national and provincial level including education, research and advocacy. She was co-chair of the Manitoba Provincial Opiate Replacement Committee, and the Manitoba Monitoring Drug Review Committee, among other roles.
She is clinical lead for the Prairie Node in the development of CRISM’s National Guidelines for best practices in the clinical management of opioid use disorder as well as the National Guidelines for managing high risk drinking and Alcohol Use Disorder. She is the current Prairie Node knowledge user representative on the CRISM NEC. She has participated in various research initiatives in the area of Addiction medicine including Opioid Agonist Therapy in rural and urban settings, a Principle Investigator for the ASCME trial (a national pan-clinical trial on methamphetamine treatment), and co-investigator in the impacts of COVID-19 on patient addiction care.
She is a mentor that supports continuously. She teaches formally, informally, academically, clinically, to all levels of learners (medical students, residents, physicians and other health professionals including but not limited to, nursing, pharmacy, etc.). She is an assistant professor at the University of Manitoba in the department of family medicine with cross-appointment in psychiatry. She is also the director of mentorship and clinical enhancement for International Medical graduates (IMG). She helped develop curricula for medical school, residency, fellowship program, and CPD events in the area of Addiction Medicine. She is passionate about education, increasing awareness and advocacy for Addiction issues including Harm Reduction and improved health outcomes for Canadians.
Maureen Brine, RN, Psychotherapist; Imago Relationship Therapist, I.C.A.D.C, CSAT, C.C.A.C.; Senior Imago Clinical Faculty
November 28th | 10 AM – 11:30 AM
Key Topics:
Strengthening Families and Relationships
Recovery Through a Relational Lens
Understanding Addiction and Codependency
Maureen Brine is a highly respected Canadian RN psychotherapist, Imago Faculty member, educator, couples therapist, and consultant. An Advanced Imago Relationship Therapist and Senior Imago Clinical Faculty member, she is also an International Addictions Specialist with a private practice in Toronto since 1985.
Maureen trained extensively under Dr. Harville Hendrix, founder of The Institute for Relationship Therapy. A member of the faculty since 1997, she previously served as Co-Dean of the Faculty. As Senior Clinical Faculty, Maureen trains therapists from entry level to the Faculty of Imago Relationships, earning recognition for her leadership within the field.
A much sought-after speaker, workshop presenter, and trainer, Maureen is known for her exceptional teaching abilities, blending profound knowledge with intuitive sensitivity. In her private practice, she works with individuals, couples, and families, focusing primarily on relationships using Imago Relationship Theory, along with addictions and couples in recovery. She is currently writing a book about addiction recovery for couples through a relational lens.
As an international Imago Trainer, Maureen has led training for therapists in Hong Kong, London, South Africa, Israel, Iran and various other cities across Canada and the United States.
With many years of experience as an interventionist, Maureen is also a recognized TV personality. She has been the featured female interventionist on the TV show Intervention for the past 10 seasons, currently airing on A&E.
Maureen passionately believes in Imago’s mission: “To heal the world, one relationship at a time.”