Each year, the CCSA (Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction) joins others in observing NAAW (National Addictions Awareness Week).
When
This year, NAAW will be held November 26 – 30, 2018.
Theme
The CCSA theme for National Addictions Awareness Week for 2018, #allwalksoflife
Locally
The Manitoba Addictions Agency Network (MAAN) has our own week, formerly known as MAAW (Manitoba Addictions Awareness Week), the event has recently been renamed MSUAAW1 (Manitoba Substance Use & Addictions Awareness Week).
Why MSUAAW?
The name was changed for a number of reasons, not least of which is that words do matter. It was done in the spirit of reducing the shame many individuals experience around their substance use disorder, as well as acknowledging that not all use is problematic, and not all problematic use is an addiction. There is a wide range of levels of involvement with substances, and MSUAAW felt the new name better reflected that diversity.
Join us
The dates and events for MSUAAW are still in development, will be available shortly. If you would like to be part of the MSUAAW planning team, call us at 204-956-6650 and ask for Gord. Or contact the AFM and speak with Bill.
1 I pronounce MSUAAW as “em-SOO-ah”. What do you think?