About.
Independent, evidence-informed advice on substance use issues, health supports, and drug policies — for governments, organizations, and communities navigating complex challenges.
Few people have worked on substance use issues and drug policy from as many angles.
For over 25 years, Nick has operated at every level — frontline practice, provincial leadership, national civil society engagement, parliamentary processes, and international diplomacy — co-organizing Ontario's first overdose prevention site, directing provincial harm reduction networks, leading national coalitions, and representing Canada at three consecutive sessions of the United Nations Commission on Narcotic Drugs in Vienna. He has testified before the Supreme Court of British Columbia and the Canadian Senate, engaged parliamentarians and senior bureaucrats across multiple governments, co-authored peer-reviewed research, and appeared regularly in national and international media.
That range is what he brings to projects.
Policy challenges at the intersection of public health, law, and politics require someone who understands how the pieces actually connect — not just how they look on paper. Nick brings an independent perspective, grounded in evidence and shaped by experience, to help understand complexity and move challenges forward.
Based in Ottawa. Working across Canada and internationally.
Learn more about Nick on LinkedIn, or download his CV.
What Nick does.
Strategic advice and practical support on substance use-related policies and issues.
Drug policies sit at the intersections of public health, law, human rights, social forces, and political will. They are shaped by competing priorities, imperfect evidence, and entrenched stakeholder interests. Getting policies right requires knowing how systems work, who the key actors are, the specific contexts, and how to move things forward.
Whether working with you one-on-one, or bringing together a team, Nick can provide advice and support for:
• Policy analysis and strategy — Development, review, and refinement of organizational policies and programs, or government regulations and legislation
• Government and stakeholder engagement — Navigation of political and institutional processes - from parliamentary committees to municipal councils, and research projects to community consultations - to build meaningful, inclusive participation.
• Research synthesis and knowledge mobilization — Translation of complex academic, legal, and grey literature into accessible, actionable formats for diverse audiences.
• Briefs, submissions, and reports — Credible, well-structured materials for policy, legal, and public audiences.
• Expert testimony and consultation — Provided to the Canadian Senate, the Supreme Court of British Columbia, the International Narcotics Control Board, and international forums.
• Workshops, training, and presentations — Capacity building across professionals, policymakers, frontline workers, community members, and academic audiences. Experience presenting at the United Nations, universities, provincial ministries, community groups, not-for-profits, and professional associations.
• Grant and funding support — Strengthening research proposals and aligning initiatives with funder priorities, including CIHR-funded community-based research.
• Media and public communication — Support for clear, accurate, and effective messaging. Nick has appeared on CBC, CTV, Global News, the Globe and Mail, the Toronto Star, SiriusXM, and international outlets.
Who Nick works with.
Nick works with a wide range of partners — what they share is a need for independent, informed, and practical advice on complex challenges:
Governments — federal, provincial, territorial, municipal departments and agencies, and Indigenous leadership
Civil society organizations — coalitions, harm reduction and drug treatment networks, HIV service organizations, and advocacy groups
Community-based organizations — frontline services, peer-led groups, and community health centres and neighbourhood associations
Researchers and academic institutions — support for knowledge mobilization, grant development, and policy translation
Not-for-profit organizations and health charities — seeking funding ideas, strategy, and organizational policy
Funders — foundations and granting agencies seeking subject matter expertise
Businesses and industry groups navigating substance use in workplace contexts or in evolving legal and medical markets
Let’s connect.
Whether you're developing organizational or government policy, navigating a complex stakeholder landscape, writing a research or funding proposal, preparing a report, developing educational tools, furthering organizational capacity, or simply trying to understand a fast-moving, complex issue — let’s chat.