OUR HISTORY

The Mission of the Council on Drug Abuse (CODA) is to prevent and reduce substance abuse through education impacting children and youth. In 1969, when the Council on Drug Abuse (CODA) was founded, the prevailing view was that with a proactive approach, the disturbing trend toward drug abuse, especially among youth, could be halted if not eradicated. This opinion was shared by concerned corporate leaders in the pharmaceutical industry in Canada whose mandate to supply potentially live-saving drugs to the public was being undermined. Spear-headed by Murray B. Koffler, O.C., then President of Shoppers Drug Mart, they formed CODA to embark on a youth education program about the hazards of misusing drugs. Little did those founding members realize that drug abuse would become a worldwide epidemic, escalating annually as the population aged and younger users entered the arena. For over three decades, CODA has addressed the challenge, making notable progress through programs such as:

• Sponsoring interactive school presentations and awareness events
• Convening an international, scientific symposium that was telecast nationally
• Retaining consultants as educational spokespersons
• Customizing workshops and programs to meet the needs of specific schools and communities
• Coordinating 'Man and His Drugs' pavilion at the Canadian National Exhibition
• Publishing a variety of informational pamphlets available free across Canada
• Participating in public policy debates on the non-medical use of drugs
• Partnering with like-minded organizations
• Co-Founded the 'Drug Education Coordinating Council' comprised of 22 community, professional and government groups
• Expanding its target audience to include students (Junior Kindergarten to University), teachers, parents, health professionals, law enforcement personnel and juvenile offenders
• Assisting with the establishment of Pharmacists Against Drug Abuse, People to Reduce Impaired Driving Everywhere (PRIDE), Parent Action on Drugs (PAD), Alliance for a Drug-Free Canada and the Multi-Faith Task Force on Substance Abuse

Each year, CODA touches the lives of thousands of students, teachers and parents in Ontario and beyond. While hard statistics are difficult to come by, it is certain that over the past three decades, CODA has influenced many in positive ways. Case studies and testimonials bear this out. CODA is a Canadian charitable organization that receives financial support from the Ontario Ministry of Health Promotion. It relies on foundations, corporations and individuals to complement its program funding requirements.