Faith, Education, and Engagement: Community-Based Solutions to Substance Use in Immigrant Communities in Saskatchewan.

Background Immigrant communities in Canada face unique and complex challenges related to substance use and mental health. These challenges are often intensified by acculturative stress, systemic neglect, and limited access to culturally responsive services. Although immigrants initially report lower rates of substance use than Canadian-born individuals, these rates tend to increase over time due to resettlement pressures and social isolation. Methods This study explores culturally grounded, community-driven strategies to prevent and manage substance use among immigrants in Saskatchewan, with a focus on identifying protective factors and community assets. A qualitative, community-based research design was employed. Seventeen first-generation immigrants participated in semi-structured, in-depth interviews facilitated by a trained research assistant. The study was conducted in Saskatchewan, Canada, with participants recruited through local immigrant-serving organizations and community networks. Seventeen adult first-generation immigrants from diverse cultural backgrounds, residing in Saskatchewan. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and analyzed thematically using an inductive approach to identify recurring patterns and culturally relevant strategies. Findings: Three key themes emerged: first, religion served as a cultural anchor, offering moral guidance and community cohesion that discouraged substance use. Faith-based institutions provided spiritual support and reinforced cultural values. Second, community education emerged as a vital tool to reduce stigma, enabling open conversations and encouraging help-seeking through culturally sensitive messaging. Third, collective engagement through youth programming and social support fostered resilience, strengthened intergenerational ties, and created safe spaces for dialogue. These themes reflect the importance of culturally grounded, community-led approaches to substance use prevention. Conclusions The findings underscore the resilience and resourcefulness within immigrant communities and highlight the importance of culturally informed, community-based interventions. By amplifying immigrant voices, this study offers actionable insights for policy reform and service delivery in Canada’s multicultural landscape.