University of Victoria: Canadian Institute for Substance Use Research (CISUR)

Under The Influence: Substance Use & Society

Society EN ↓ 4 episodes

Under The Influence explores how different drugs intersect with our society, culture, and everyday life. From alcohol and caffeine to video games and gambling, substances are everywhere—and chances are that you’re holding one right now. Tag along with us as we unpack the evidence behind today’s biggest questions about substance use through conversations with researchers, policy experts, and people working on the front lines.

Author

University of Victoria: Canadian Institute for Substance Use Research (CISUR)

Episodes

4. All About Gambling: more than just luck? 08.06.2026 54:51

What constitutes gambling? What is the criteria for a gambling addiction? What are the recent developments in the field? In this episode of Under the Influence: Substance Use & Society , we talk about gambling and its forms, policies, and treatments in Canada. We're joined by Dr. Luke Clark, an expert in the field of gambling research, professor at UBC’s psychology department, and direc...

3. KnowAlcohol.ca: all about alcohol & the knowledge mobilization tool. 19.05.2026 43:33

In this episode of Under the Influence: Substance Use & Society , we explore Canada’s Guidance on Alcohol and Health, public awareness of alcohol-related risks, and how these conversations led to the launch of KnowAlcohol.ca in January 2025, a digital resource designed to help Canadians better understand the health impacts of alcohol. Alcohol, a Group 1 carcinogen, is consumed by nearly 80% of...

2. Naming a Crisis: the toxic drug crisis. 14.04.2026 33:18

In this episode of “Under the Influence" , we look back on 10 years since BC declared toxic drug deaths a public health emergency. Over 18,000 people have lost their lives since 2016. How do we honour our lost loved ones, and where do we go from here? Host Amanda Farrell-Low speaks with Dr. Bernie Pauly, a scientist at CISUR and UVic nursing professor, who looks back at what happened when the...

1. Frog in a Pond: the landscape of substance use. 01.04.2026 39:31

What do we really mean when we say “drug”? What is person-first language? How does policy influence our everyday choices, and what can we do about it? Listen in on our debut episode of Under the Influence , where we’re joined by Dr. Tim Naimi and Amanda Farrell-Low to unpack terminology, substance use, language assumptions, and policies that shape our behaviors and thinking about substances. We be...