The People with Lived and Living Experience Survey (PWLLES) 2.0:
Substance Use among Racialized and Indigenous Youth

Health Canada is doing a survey to learn about young people's experiences with substance use. We want to hear from youth ages 14 to 25 who use substances and identify as racialized and/or Indigenous. The survey will be conducted in several cities and communities across Canada for a period of one year until XX 2027. A survey firm, R. A. Malatest & Associates Ltd., is helping administer this survey.

To help develop this survey, Health Canada consulted with a committee of youth with lived and living experience with substance use; First Nations, Métis, and Inuit organizations; and with other organizations with insights into substance use among youth.

What is involved to participate?

If you decide to participate, you will be asked to take part in an interview to complete an online questionnaire on a tablet supplied by the research team.

We will ask you about your experiences with substance use, its impacts, and some general demographic information such as gender and employment status. We will also ask about other substance use trends, your experiences with accessing services (including barriers and supports), experiences of stigma and discrimination, and how your needs could be better met. It should take about 45-60 minutes to complete the survey.

The responses that you provide will be protected. You may refuse to answer any questions that you feel uncomfortable answering.

You will receive a $50 gift card to thank you for your participation.

What is the purpose of this survey?

The results from this survey will be used to help understand the current and emerging substance use situations faced by racialized and Indigenous youth across Canada, including the challenges and social harms that they face related to substance use, such as stigma and discrimination, and experiences with, and barriers to, seeking and accessing treatment. This may help inform service agencies, develop treatment interventions, and may inform federal, provincial/territorial, and municipal governments and policymakers.

Enter Your ID to Begin Survey