CareConsult for Youth Substance Use
CareConsult for Youth Substance Use connects health-care professionals across Ontario with expert virtual consultation and group education to support the care of youth and young adults up to age 25 with substance use concerns. Our consultations are informed by a youth-centred framework that integrates harm reduction, trauma-informed care and evidence-based practices. We recognize that substance use often occurs alongside physical, mental health and social challenges, and support health-care professionals in providing developmentally appropriate care.
We provide guidance on evidence-based best practices for identification, assessment and treatment planning for youth with substance use and related physical/mental health needs. Services are available across Ontario for HCPs including Physicians, Nurse Practitioners, Nurses, Social Workers, Addictions Counsellors, and Child and Youth Counsellors.
Core principles of care:
- Harm reduction
- Trauma-informed and developmentally appropriate care
- Youth-centred care
- Evidence-based practice
Professional-to-Professional consultation service
Virtual professional-to-professional consultations with a Nurse Practitioner or Physician from the SickKids’ Substance Use Program.
Book your 30 minute consultations during the following time slots:
- Monday afternoons from 12 – 4:30 p.m.
- Thursday mornings from 9 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Book your virtual consultation
- Guidance on non-urgent clinical questions related to youth substance use
- Timely access to consultation, often within the same week and, when available, the same day
- Information about substance use services and supports for youth
- Mentorship and support for health-care professionals
- Direct patient care
- Guidance on urgent/emergent clinical questions
- Consultations focused solely on resource navigation
- Support with behavioural addictions (technology, gambling, etc.)
Please note that this service is not for referring or transferring patients to SickKids. The responsibility for any patients and their care remains with the professional who is consulting this service.
Group education session
We provide education sessions on a variety of topics related to caring for young people who use substances. You can attend one of our upcoming education sessions listed below, or book a customized session based on the needs of your group.
CareConsult Education Sessions
- Identifying and assessing substance use in adolescents and young adults
- Youth-focused substance use screening tools and assessment approaches
- Withdrawal management and harm reduction strategies
- Assessment and management of co-occurring physical and mental health conditions
- Evidence-based treatment approaches for youth substance use
- Family and caregiver engagement, confidentiality and consent in youth care
Upcoming education sessions:
Tele-Mental Health (TMH) Session: Substance Use
Date: October 27, 2026
Time: 1–2:30 p.m.
This session will provide you with practical approaches to identifying and assessing substance use concerns in school-aged youth, applying harm reduction strategies, responding to suspected opioid overdoses and connecting young people to appropriate supports and services.
Contact us
Contact us via email at sucare.consult@sickkids.ca for more information
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Other substance-use resources & services
See our list of other resources and services that are available.