Action on Women's Addictions - Research & Education (AWARE) was established in Kingston, Ontario in 1986. Our mission is to undertake a wide range of health promotion and prevention activities on a local, regional, provincial, and national basis. The intent of all our work is to give a voice to women’s experience. And we provide information about the safe use of alcohol, prescription medications, tobacco, and other drugs within the social context of women’s lives. We are a one-of-a-kind organization and the only group in Canada who does what we do...and that is...

• We generate community development strategies that will prevent substance abuse problems among women.
• We develop well-evaluated pilot and demonstration projects that can be easily transfered to other sites and situations.
• We produce easy-to-read information and resources for women. AWARE has developed numerous publications in a variety of formats for many different groups of women. Visit the Resources page for a listing of our booklets for women and training guides for service providers that are currently available.
• We advocate for appropriate health promotion strategies and treatment services for women.
• We advocate for healthy public policy regarding alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs.
• We conduct women-centred, community-based research.

All of our work is undertaken in close association with women who have a personal or professional interest in the project issues. The experiences and needs of women form the basis of all the work we do. Ideas for new AWARE projects are always developed based on the needs expressed by women.