Tommy Brothers
@tdbrothers.bsky.social
MD, PhD, FRCPC | general internal medicine & addiction medicine doctor | social epidemiologist & health services researcher | Nova Scotian
Reposted by Tommy Brothers
Thank you @rachpips.bsky.social and @suziecro.bsky.social - this is great!! 🤣
December 10, 2025 at 9:25 PM
Thank you @rachpips.bsky.social and @suziecro.bsky.social - this is great!! 🤣
Reposted by Tommy Brothers
Drug warriors sprayed millions of acres in Colombia with a super concentrated Roundup formulation in a futile attempt to destroy coca bushes. I can’t count the number of devastated farms I visited. They devastated food crops, environment, and the people.
December 10, 2025 at 6:01 PM
Drug warriors sprayed millions of acres in Colombia with a super concentrated Roundup formulation in a futile attempt to destroy coca bushes. I can’t count the number of devastated farms I visited. They devastated food crops, environment, and the people.
Reposted by Tommy Brothers
Adolescent mental health prediction models in the 1960s: At age 5-6 these researchers believed you could determine if a child would become delinquent based five factors in the environment of the child. www.nytimes.com/1965/01/31/a...
The Arithmetic of Delinquency; ' The statistics leapt to life. The children leapt to their doom.' (Published 1965)
www.nytimes.com
December 10, 2025 at 10:58 AM
Adolescent mental health prediction models in the 1960s: At age 5-6 these researchers believed you could determine if a child would become delinquent based five factors in the environment of the child. www.nytimes.com/1965/01/31/a...
Reposted by Tommy Brothers
I am astonished that there’s no comment from the municipal government that ordered the encampment eviction or from the law enforcement agencies that constantly claim to be working to prevent people from dying
AND this happened during cheque week
THIS IS LINKED TO POVERTY AND POLITICAL VIOLENCE
AND this happened during cheque week
THIS IS LINKED TO POVERTY AND POLITICAL VIOLENCE
December 9, 2025 at 11:12 PM
I am astonished that there’s no comment from the municipal government that ordered the encampment eviction or from the law enforcement agencies that constantly claim to be working to prevent people from dying
AND this happened during cheque week
THIS IS LINKED TO POVERTY AND POLITICAL VIOLENCE
AND this happened during cheque week
THIS IS LINKED TO POVERTY AND POLITICAL VIOLENCE
Reposted by Tommy Brothers
How do we prevent as much future dementia as possible?
A one-page summary of my PhD research into population-level approaches to dementia risk reduction available here: www.cph.cam.ac.uk/sites/defaul...
Full thesis here: www.repository.cam.ac.uk/items/e83e56...
A one-page summary of my PhD research into population-level approaches to dementia risk reduction available here: www.cph.cam.ac.uk/sites/defaul...
Full thesis here: www.repository.cam.ac.uk/items/e83e56...
December 9, 2025 at 8:16 PM
How do we prevent as much future dementia as possible?
A one-page summary of my PhD research into population-level approaches to dementia risk reduction available here: www.cph.cam.ac.uk/sites/defaul...
Full thesis here: www.repository.cam.ac.uk/items/e83e56...
A one-page summary of my PhD research into population-level approaches to dementia risk reduction available here: www.cph.cam.ac.uk/sites/defaul...
Full thesis here: www.repository.cam.ac.uk/items/e83e56...
Reposted by Tommy Brothers
Reposted by Tommy Brothers
Only 29% of drinkers knew alcohol causes 7 cancers in a recent Canadian study.
But when people both knew and believed the link, they were nearly twice as likely to support policies to curb alcohol availability and marketing.
Awareness + belief matter.
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
But when people both knew and believed the link, they were nearly twice as likely to support policies to curb alcohol availability and marketing.
Awareness + belief matter.
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
Does Believing Alcohol Causes Cancer Moderate the Relationship Between Consumer Awareness of the Alcohol–Cancer Link and Support for Alcohol Policies? Findings From a Canadian Cross‐Sectional Study
Introduction Extending research observing an association between awareness that alcohol causes cancer and support for alcohol policies, this study examined if believing or accepting alcohol causes c...
onlinelibrary.wiley.com
December 9, 2025 at 9:43 AM
Only 29% of drinkers knew alcohol causes 7 cancers in a recent Canadian study.
But when people both knew and believed the link, they were nearly twice as likely to support policies to curb alcohol availability and marketing.
Awareness + belief matter.
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
But when people both knew and believed the link, they were nearly twice as likely to support policies to curb alcohol availability and marketing.
Awareness + belief matter.
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
Reposted by Tommy Brothers
Countering the narrative that even in brutal weather, there is space inside for everyone. We know women stay in unsafe situations when shelters are full.
And a reminder that housing is the solution to homelessness. @globalhalifax share.google/xloayjtmRcMb...
And a reminder that housing is the solution to homelessness. @globalhalifax share.google/xloayjtmRcMb...
Halifax designated tent encampment closes but availability of shelter spaces uncertain - Halifax | Globalnews.ca
One of Halifax's three remaining designated tent encampments closed on the weekend, but about 10 tents are still standing as of Monday.
share.google
December 9, 2025 at 9:54 AM
Countering the narrative that even in brutal weather, there is space inside for everyone. We know women stay in unsafe situations when shelters are full.
And a reminder that housing is the solution to homelessness. @globalhalifax share.google/xloayjtmRcMb...
And a reminder that housing is the solution to homelessness. @globalhalifax share.google/xloayjtmRcMb...
Reposted by Tommy Brothers
They’re both back in stock!
(Because I finally went to my storage unit and retrieved them.
Pls clap, etc.)
pinpenmerger.etsy.com
(Because I finally went to my storage unit and retrieved them.
Pls clap, etc.)
pinpenmerger.etsy.com
December 6, 2025 at 7:45 PM
They’re both back in stock!
(Because I finally went to my storage unit and retrieved them.
Pls clap, etc.)
pinpenmerger.etsy.com
(Because I finally went to my storage unit and retrieved them.
Pls clap, etc.)
pinpenmerger.etsy.com
Reposted by Tommy Brothers
Indeed. It's sometimes (often?) harder to do things the right way in medical/health research because editors/reviewers stop you from doing it.
statsepi.substack.com/p/how-bad-st...
statsepi.substack.com/p/how-bad-st...
December 7, 2025 at 7:15 AM
Indeed. It's sometimes (often?) harder to do things the right way in medical/health research because editors/reviewers stop you from doing it.
statsepi.substack.com/p/how-bad-st...
statsepi.substack.com/p/how-bad-st...
Reposted by Tommy Brothers
🚨 Nominations open for the 2026 ISSDP Excellence in Research Award!
Recognizes research published since Jan 2023 that has made a substantial innovation in how we think about/conduct #drugpolicy research
Nominate your heroes, your colleagues, or yourself! Email noms to me by Jan 15: [email protected]
Recognizes research published since Jan 2023 that has made a substantial innovation in how we think about/conduct #drugpolicy research
Nominate your heroes, your colleagues, or yourself! Email noms to me by Jan 15: [email protected]
November 19, 2025 at 2:03 PM
🚨 Nominations open for the 2026 ISSDP Excellence in Research Award!
Recognizes research published since Jan 2023 that has made a substantial innovation in how we think about/conduct #drugpolicy research
Nominate your heroes, your colleagues, or yourself! Email noms to me by Jan 15: [email protected]
Recognizes research published since Jan 2023 that has made a substantial innovation in how we think about/conduct #drugpolicy research
Nominate your heroes, your colleagues, or yourself! Email noms to me by Jan 15: [email protected]
Reposted by Tommy Brothers
“Successfully”
NYPD statistics obtained by CBS News New York show of the 3,676 encampments visited by police so far this year, 2,046 were successfully cleaned out, but only 117 people were placed in housing.
NYC Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani plans to stop destruction of homeless encampments. Here's what he wants to do instead.
The destruction of homeless encampments across New York City, a hallmark policy of Mayor Eric Adams' administration, will be halted by Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani.
cbsloc.al
December 6, 2025 at 4:33 AM
“Successfully”
Reposted by Tommy Brothers
Re-upping this as daily temps are set to plunge in Edmonton. Zero frostbite amputations is an achievable goal we all can work towards. City Council and the Government of Alberta can lead here by overhauling their winter emergency response efforts #yegcc #ableg
edmontonjournal.com/opinion/colu...
edmontonjournal.com/opinion/colu...
Opinion: Edmonton doesn't have to be the frostbite capital of the world
Severe frostbite injuries are entirely preventable - together, let’s work towards a city where no one gets left out in the cold.
edmontonjournal.com
December 5, 2025 at 5:31 PM
Re-upping this as daily temps are set to plunge in Edmonton. Zero frostbite amputations is an achievable goal we all can work towards. City Council and the Government of Alberta can lead here by overhauling their winter emergency response efforts #yegcc #ableg
edmontonjournal.com/opinion/colu...
edmontonjournal.com/opinion/colu...
Reposted by Tommy Brothers
Manitoba’s first supervised drug-consumption site will be located on Henry Avenue, north of the Centennial neighbourhood.
Supervised drug-consumption site to be located on Henry Avenue
Manitoba’s first supervised drug-consumption site will be located on Henry Avenue, north of the Centennial neighbourhood.
www.winnipegfreepress.com
December 5, 2025 at 7:42 PM
Manitoba’s first supervised drug-consumption site will be located on Henry Avenue, north of the Centennial neighbourhood.
Happy to share our new review paper on management of injection drug use-associated endocarditis, including recommendations from a multidisciplinary group in Canada
Incl. integrating substance use care in hospital and not requiring abstinence as a condition for surgery
onlinecjc.ca/article/S082...
Incl. integrating substance use care in hospital and not requiring abstinence as a condition for surgery
onlinecjc.ca/article/S082...
Management of Infective Endocarditis Secondary to Injection Drug Use: Practical Recommendations for Clinicians From a Canadian Working Group
The management of drug-use associated endocarditis (DUA-IE) has historically been
piece-meal with variable involvement of multiple specialties – cardiology, addictions
medicine, infectious disease, su...
onlinecjc.ca
December 5, 2025 at 4:46 PM
Happy to share our new review paper on management of injection drug use-associated endocarditis, including recommendations from a multidisciplinary group in Canada
Incl. integrating substance use care in hospital and not requiring abstinence as a condition for surgery
onlinecjc.ca/article/S082...
Incl. integrating substance use care in hospital and not requiring abstinence as a condition for surgery
onlinecjc.ca/article/S082...
Reposted by Tommy Brothers
NEW: Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani said Thursday he will not continue sweeps of homeless encampments — which city data shows have not yielded any permanent or supportive-housing referrals in more than a year.
www.thecity.nyc/2025/12/04/m...
www.thecity.nyc/2025/12/04/m...
Mamdani Vows to Sweep Out Crackdowns on Homeless Camps
City numbers show that sweeps started under Mayor Eric Adams have not delivered on referrals for housing in more than a year.
www.thecity.nyc
December 5, 2025 at 12:45 AM
NEW: Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani said Thursday he will not continue sweeps of homeless encampments — which city data shows have not yielded any permanent or supportive-housing referrals in more than a year.
www.thecity.nyc/2025/12/04/m...
www.thecity.nyc/2025/12/04/m...
Reposted by Tommy Brothers
New paper in @jclinepi.bsky.social: **Estimands: what they are and why we should use them**
We provide simple explanations of:
-estimands and intercurrent events
-how these relate to familliar concepts like ITT
-how to write estimands for protocols
-and more
www.jclinepi.com/article/S089...
We provide simple explanations of:
-estimands and intercurrent events
-how these relate to familliar concepts like ITT
-how to write estimands for protocols
-and more
www.jclinepi.com/article/S089...
Estimands: what they are and why we should use them
In clinical trials, postrandomization events, such as treatment discontinuation or
the use of rescue medication, can complicate the interpretation of results. An estimand
is a precise description of t...
www.jclinepi.com
December 5, 2025 at 1:29 PM
New paper in @jclinepi.bsky.social: **Estimands: what they are and why we should use them**
We provide simple explanations of:
-estimands and intercurrent events
-how these relate to familliar concepts like ITT
-how to write estimands for protocols
-and more
www.jclinepi.com/article/S089...
We provide simple explanations of:
-estimands and intercurrent events
-how these relate to familliar concepts like ITT
-how to write estimands for protocols
-and more
www.jclinepi.com/article/S089...
Reposted by Tommy Brothers
massive investment in accessible social housing to guarantee homes for all is the solution to mass homelessness
substance use and psychiatric injury are CONSEQUENCES of housing deprivation, not causes
people become homeless because the RENT IS TOO HIGH
theconversation.com/why-involunt...
substance use and psychiatric injury are CONSEQUENCES of housing deprivation, not causes
people become homeless because the RENT IS TOO HIGH
theconversation.com/why-involunt...
Why involuntary medical admission and treatment won’t solve homelessness
The arguments made by advocates for involuntary medical admissions and treatment aren’t supported by science.
theconversation.com
November 16, 2024 at 11:47 PM
massive investment in accessible social housing to guarantee homes for all is the solution to mass homelessness
substance use and psychiatric injury are CONSEQUENCES of housing deprivation, not causes
people become homeless because the RENT IS TOO HIGH
theconversation.com/why-involunt...
substance use and psychiatric injury are CONSEQUENCES of housing deprivation, not causes
people become homeless because the RENT IS TOO HIGH
theconversation.com/why-involunt...
Reposted by Tommy Brothers
A thread
Tomorrow the premier of B.C. will announce that his government has failed the youth of this province and to address that, young people in trouble will be subject to indefinite medical detention.
Tomorrow the premier of B.C. will announce that his government has failed the youth of this province and to address that, young people in trouble will be subject to indefinite medical detention.
massive investment in accessible social housing to guarantee homes for all is the solution to mass homelessness
substance use and psychiatric injury are CONSEQUENCES of housing deprivation, not causes
people become homeless because the RENT IS TOO HIGH
theconversation.com/why-involunt...
substance use and psychiatric injury are CONSEQUENCES of housing deprivation, not causes
people become homeless because the RENT IS TOO HIGH
theconversation.com/why-involunt...
Why involuntary medical admission and treatment won’t solve homelessness
The arguments made by advocates for involuntary medical admissions and treatment aren’t supported by science.
theconversation.com
December 5, 2025 at 7:00 AM
A thread
Tomorrow the premier of B.C. will announce that his government has failed the youth of this province and to address that, young people in trouble will be subject to indefinite medical detention.
Tomorrow the premier of B.C. will announce that his government has failed the youth of this province and to address that, young people in trouble will be subject to indefinite medical detention.
Reposted by Tommy Brothers
Premier Eby will have announcement tmrw about "strengthening access to involuntary care for young people."
CMHA: "lack of evidence to support effectiveness of involuntary treatment for substance use disorder... evidence suggests it leads to an increased risk of death..."
bc.cmha.ca/news/involun...
CMHA: "lack of evidence to support effectiveness of involuntary treatment for substance use disorder... evidence suggests it leads to an increased risk of death..."
bc.cmha.ca/news/involun...
Involuntary Care Already Exists in BC, But Is It Working? - CMHA British Columbia
VANCOUVER, BC – (September 18, 2024): On September 15, 2024, Premier Eby announced that his government is expanding involuntary care for people with brain injury, mental illness, and severe addiction....
bc.cmha.ca
December 4, 2025 at 10:00 PM
Premier Eby will have announcement tmrw about "strengthening access to involuntary care for young people."
CMHA: "lack of evidence to support effectiveness of involuntary treatment for substance use disorder... evidence suggests it leads to an increased risk of death..."
bc.cmha.ca/news/involun...
CMHA: "lack of evidence to support effectiveness of involuntary treatment for substance use disorder... evidence suggests it leads to an increased risk of death..."
bc.cmha.ca/news/involun...
Reposted by Tommy Brothers
Historian of eugenics here. I don't normally like to retweet bad arguments, but this is such a fundamental misunderstanding of eugenics, I think it's important to point out. I don't have time to debunk all of the ways this is inaccurate, but I'll highlight a few things and then recommend some books🧵
December 4, 2025 at 12:44 PM
Historian of eugenics here. I don't normally like to retweet bad arguments, but this is such a fundamental misunderstanding of eugenics, I think it's important to point out. I don't have time to debunk all of the ways this is inaccurate, but I'll highlight a few things and then recommend some books🧵
Reposted by Tommy Brothers
A key theme from the talk:
December 4, 2025 at 9:24 AM
A key theme from the talk:
Reposted by Tommy Brothers
"Some infections will require hospital care, but staying in hospital can be challenging for people with a history of being treated poorly by health-care professionals, for people who are still using drugs but aren’t allowed to use in hospital."
thetyee.ca/News/2025/12...
thetyee.ca/News/2025/12...
As Winter Sets In, Infections Creep into the DTES | The Tyee
Living conditions mean people struggle to fight infections and risk losing a limb. A clinic offers a solution.
thetyee.ca
December 3, 2025 at 6:02 PM
"Some infections will require hospital care, but staying in hospital can be challenging for people with a history of being treated poorly by health-care professionals, for people who are still using drugs but aren’t allowed to use in hospital."
thetyee.ca/News/2025/12...
thetyee.ca/News/2025/12...
Reposted by Tommy Brothers
Big day for our ICHWP research team. Doctoral trainee, @hollymathias.bsky.social is defending her dissertation, "Unpaid family caregiving for people who use drugs in rural Canada," this afternoon. Can read the first paper from this work here: link.springer.com/article/10.1...
link.springer.com
December 2, 2025 at 4:17 PM
Big day for our ICHWP research team. Doctoral trainee, @hollymathias.bsky.social is defending her dissertation, "Unpaid family caregiving for people who use drugs in rural Canada," this afternoon. Can read the first paper from this work here: link.springer.com/article/10.1...
Reposted by Tommy Brothers
Congratulations to Dr. @hollymathias.bsky.social on the successful defence of your thesis today @ualbertasph.bsky.social! It has been a privilege to supervise you. Looking forward to your next chapter as an Assistant Professor!
December 2, 2025 at 10:47 PM
Congratulations to Dr. @hollymathias.bsky.social on the successful defence of your thesis today @ualbertasph.bsky.social! It has been a privilege to supervise you. Looking forward to your next chapter as an Assistant Professor!