Vanier scholar, Sybil Goulet-Stock

November 02, 2023

Harm reduction approaches to alcohol use in Canada: from alcohol labelling policies to cannabis substitution

Vanier scholar, Sybil Goulet-Stock, is a psychology doctoral researcher examining alcohol use in Canada and the impact of mandatory health warning labels on products. 

"My doctoral research program includes two studies under the supervision of Dr. Stockwell, UVic's Canadian Institute for Substance Use Research," says Goulet-Stock.

Canada’s Low-Risk Alcohol Drinking Guidelines (LRDGs) were recently updated to reflect new evidence of the risks of alcohol use; a central recommendation is mandatory health warning labels.

"In my first study, I will evaluate novel alcohol warning labels (AWLs) that are consistent with the LRDGs, which will generate timely evidence on AWLs that may inform evidence-based policy reform across Canada," explains Goulet-Stock.

In the second study 2 Goulet-Stock  will describe patterns of alcohol use, cannabis use, and harms in unstably-housed individuals with severe alcohol use disorders who are engaged in novel cannabis substitution programs. The study will generate important evidence on whether cannabis substitution for alcohol use can reduce harm, which will inform alcohol harm reduction approaches for vulnerable Canadians. 

"Our research partners include four community programs, one of which is an Indigenous-led program that has introduced cannabis in a culturally-situated manner," says Goulet-Stock.

She explains how the study will also produce guidance to Indigenous communities for the introduction of cannabis in relation to alcohol harm reduction.

The Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships are funded through the three federal research granting agencies: the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada and the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada. These scholars are the next generation of top-tier doctoral students and postdoctoral researchers in health, natural sciences and engineering, and social sciences and humanities.