1. Healthcare

www.ccsa.ca • www.cclt.ca
Call for Abstracts
We invite you to participate in the next Issues of Substance (IOS) conference, to be held in Montreal,
Quebec, November 16–18, 2015. IOS is Canada’s only national conference to bring together
addictions workers, healthcare professionals, researchers, policy makers and knowledge brokers
from across the country. This three-day event provides an unparalleled opportunity to share new
research and best practices, and to receive practical training related to addictions prevention,
treatment and recovery. Delivered in partnership by the Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse
(CCSA) and Mise sur toi, we expect to welcome 400–500 participants to IOS 2015.
CCSA is pleased to announce the Call for Abstracts for IOS 2015. Abstracts must be submitted no
later than February 6, 2015, as detailed below. For more information about the conference, please
visit the IOS section of the CCSA website.
Conference Theme
The theme for IOS 2015 is Addiction Matters. Substance use and abuse, and problem gambling are
serious health concerns in Canada. Substance abuse alone costs our society more than $40 billion per
year. Both disorders can have a negative impact on lives and remove from our communities those who
would otherwise be capable of caring for their children, working, volunteering or studying. The good
news is that addiction to alcohol, drugs and gambling is preventable and treatable, and recovery is an
attainable reality for many. It is paramount that these issues remain high priorities on the public agenda.
Addiction matters. Together we can address it.
Individuals and teams are encouraged to submit abstracts that stimulate ideas and discussion, promote
learning of knowledge and skills, and energize attendees to participate in debate. We seek
presentations, posters and workshops on policies, programs and frameworks that include evidenceinformed practices, emerging research and innovative knowledge exchange strategies. Abstracts are
welcomed on all substances, including alcohol, and licit and illicit drugs, and on gambling. Although all
abstracts will be considered, we are looking for submissions that support the following subthemes:
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Best, promising and innovative practices
The complexity of concurrent disorders (e.g., mental health and substance use, gambling and
substance use)
Responsible and problem gambling
Indigenous approaches to addiction and healing
Gaps in care and addressing them with integrated and coordinated approaches
Health promotion, substance abuse prevention and early identification
Recovery, health and well-being
Specific populations (e.g., youth, incarcerated persons, seniors, people who are homeless)
Cultural diversity (e.g., First Nations, Inuit, Metis, LGBTQ, new Canadians)
Drugs of evolving legal status (e.g., marijuana, novel psychoactive substances, e-cigarettes)
Knowledge transfer and exchange
New practices in applying research
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IOS 2015—Call for Abstracts
Presentation Formats
Applicants must submit their abstracts by February 6, 2015. Abstracts should be 250 words or less
in English or French and apply to one of the following formats. If you have any questions, please
contact [email protected].
Oral Presentations (20 or 60 minutes)
Individual presentations of 20 minutes or team presentations that feature a panel of three 20minute presentations allow for a brief overview of the major points or highlights of a particular
research project or program. Preference will be given to work that is completed. Include the following
information in the abstract:
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Title
Background
Objectives
Methods
Results
Conclusions
Presenters are responsible for the translation of any handouts distributed during oral presentations.
Interactive Learning Workshops (90 minutes)
Workshops are interactive learning opportunities to demonstrate “real-life” application of techniques
and skills. A clear explanation of how participants will be engaged and actively participate in learning
is required. Include the following information in the abstract:
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Title
Learning objectives
Description
Interactive formats or processes
Posters
Posters allow for the presentation of key points or highlights of a particular research project, program
or intervention. Posters must be displayed on a poster board and cannot exceed 46.5” wide by 45”
high. Each poster must be staffed by the author for a designated period of time. During the
designated poster viewing, the author is available to respond to questions about his or her work and
is encouraged to have handouts of the poster to share with conference participants. Include the
following information in the abstract:
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Title
Background
Objectives
Methods
Results
Conclusions
Presenters are responsible for the translation of any handouts distributed during the poster
presentations.
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IOS 2015—Call for Abstracts
Submitting an Abstract
Applicants must submit abstracts electronically by February 6, 2015. Applicants can submit no more
than two abstracts as primary presenter. The IOS Program Committee reserves the right to limit the
number of abstracts accepted for review, has final authority in selecting presenters and will inform
applicants in April 2015 as to whether their submissions has been accepted.
Who Should Submit an Abstract?
Individuals and organizations from disciplines associated with substance abuse and gambling are
invited to submit abstracts for IOS 2015 that showcase their initiatives, research, programs or best
practices. The appropriate disciplines include addiction specialists (e.g., treatment providers, clinical
staff, counsellors, social workers), allied professionals (e.g., hospital staff, law enforcement personnel,
correctional workers, nutritionists, teachers), public health professionals (e.g., public health nurses,
health promotion program staff), policy and service planners, program managers, academic
researchers, graduate students and private sector professionals. Conference subsidies are available.
A key intent of IOS 2015 is to stimulate discussion and the exchange of ideas by presenting new or
emerging initiatives, policy analyses, knowledge exchange and research. To this end, work submitted for
presentation should not have been reported previously in a publication, either as an article or abstract.
Evaluation Criteria
The following evaluation criteria will each be given equal weighting to assess abstracts:
 Strength and appropriateness of evidence or knowledge base for the abstract content
 Potential to stimulate discussion and learning
 Significance and potential impact of findings or conclusions on the substance abuse field
 Overall quality and clarity of the abstract
Required Information
Before going to the online submission form, ensure you can provide the following information:
 Your preferred and second-choice presentation format
 The primary and alternate subtheme that best applies to your abstract (this information will
only be used to assist in reviewing abstracts)
 Your language of presentation (English or French)
 Your full title, name, organizational affiliation and the email addresses of all presenters
 Whether this research has been published and, if so, the publication name and year
 Whether this research has been presented at another conference and, if so, the title,
location and year of the conference
Upon Acceptance
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CCSA will email all communications about a submission to the abstract submitter who is
responsible for distributing information to other presenting authors or co-authors.
If a submitter accepts an offer to present but is later unable to attend, he or she must provide to
CCSA the name of the alternate speaker or the presentation will be withdrawn from the program.
Presenters will be asked to disclose any real or potential conflicts of interest at the beginning
of their presentation or workshop or on their poster.
All presenters must register for the conference by May 19, 2015.
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IOS 2015—Call for Abstracts
Conference Subsidies
A limited number of subsidies of up to $1,000 each are available to assist with conference
expenses. All requests for subsidies will be reviewed by the IOS Ethics Committee. Preference will be
given to applicants who live in geographically remote regions or at a distance from Montreal, the host
city. Please submit your subsidy request and supporting documentation to [email protected].
Presenter Subsidies
A presenter subsidy can be applied to any costs associated with attending the conference.
Presenters who are awarded a subsidy will also receive complimentary conference registration.
Poster presenters are not eligible for this subsidy.
To apply for a presenter subsidy, please submit:
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A written request (maximum 250 words) providing the following information:
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Reason for requesting the subsidy
Identification of your organization’s category (government, not for profit, other)
Location (closest major city)
Letter of support from your organization.
Deadline
The deadline to submit an application for a presenter subsidy is February 13, 2015. Those
presenters who are awarded presenter subsidies must confirm their acceptance as a presenter and
acceptance of the subsidy by registering for IOS 2015 no later than May 19, 2015. Subsidy awards
will expire at midnight on this date if registration is not received.
Other Information
Audio-Visual Equipment
IOS session rooms will be fully equipped with computers and data projectors. If additional audiovisual equipment is required, the presenter will be responsible for these costs.
Translation Requirements
Presentations can be in English or French. Simultaneous French and English interpretation will be
available for all keynote and some oral sessions. Translation will not be available for workshops.
The Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse changes lives by bringing people and knowledge
together to reduce the harm of alcohol and other drugs on society. We partner with public,
private and non-governmental organizations to improve the health and safety of Canadians.
CCSA activities and products are made possible through a financial contribution from Health
Canada. The views of CCSA do not necessarily represent the views of the Government of
Canada.
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IOS 2015—Call for Abstracts
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