Ginetta Salvalaggio
@gsalvalaggio.bsky.social
MD, MSc, CCFP(AM). she/her/elle. Professor, #ualberta Family Medicine. Associate Scientific Director, www.ichwp.ca . ᐊᒥᐢᑿᒌᐚᐢᑲᐦᐃᑲᐣ (Amiskwacîwâskahikan)
It’s shocking to me that the intersection between involuntary treatment and colonialism is mostly a footnote within policy discussions.
Today marks the 10th anniversary of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's final report. Let's review why Truth and Reconciliation matters in any discussion of forced substance use treatment. afn.ca/all-news/pre...
National Chief Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak Recognizes 10th Anniversary of Truth and Reconciliation Commission Final Report, Presses for Urgent Action - Assembly of First Nations
(December 15, 2025 – Unceded Algonquin Territory, Ottawa) — On the 10th anniversary of the release of the Final Report of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada (TRC) and its 94 Calls to Ac...
afn.ca
December 17, 2025 at 6:52 PM
It’s shocking to me that the intersection between involuntary treatment and colonialism is mostly a footnote within policy discussions.
Reposted by Ginetta Salvalaggio
I’m not a doctor, but feels like *actual* early intervention in frostbite cases would entail giving people warm shelter before amputation becomes necessary.
Like, how much later than “amputation required” can intervention be?
Like, how much later than “amputation required” can intervention be?
Alberta Minister of Assisted Living and Social Services Jason Nixon says rising frostbite amputations on his watch are a sign of the system working as intended.
Another important frostbite story by @taylorlambert.ca
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
Another important frostbite story by @taylorlambert.ca
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
December 15, 2025 at 6:08 PM
I’m not a doctor, but feels like *actual* early intervention in frostbite cases would entail giving people warm shelter before amputation becomes necessary.
Like, how much later than “amputation required” can intervention be?
Like, how much later than “amputation required” can intervention be?
Reposted by Ginetta Salvalaggio
by leaving people his government has deprived of housing the options of amputation, freezing to death, or incarceration, the increase in amputations indicates that Nixon is reducing homelessness without providing housing
The purpose of a system is what it does
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
The purpose of a system is what it does
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
December 15, 2025 at 9:25 PM
by leaving people his government has deprived of housing the options of amputation, freezing to death, or incarceration, the increase in amputations indicates that Nixon is reducing homelessness without providing housing
The purpose of a system is what it does
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
The purpose of a system is what it does
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
Reposted by Ginetta Salvalaggio
NEW
Federal prisons are removing methadone and Suboxone opioid treatments, leaving only a patented once-per-month injection for prisoners.
A large group of experts is raising serious concerns about harms to prisoners––and the corporate motivations behind the move.
drugdatadecoded.ca/150-experts-...
Federal prisons are removing methadone and Suboxone opioid treatments, leaving only a patented once-per-month injection for prisoners.
A large group of experts is raising serious concerns about harms to prisoners––and the corporate motivations behind the move.
drugdatadecoded.ca/150-experts-...
150 experts demand Correctional Service Canada reverse "coercive" opioid treatment guidance
A new policy in federal prisons removes methadone and Suboxone opioid treatments, leaving only a patented once-per-month gel injection available to prisoners. A large group of experts is raising serio...
drugdatadecoded.ca
December 16, 2025 at 12:42 AM
NEW
Federal prisons are removing methadone and Suboxone opioid treatments, leaving only a patented once-per-month injection for prisoners.
A large group of experts is raising serious concerns about harms to prisoners––and the corporate motivations behind the move.
drugdatadecoded.ca/150-experts-...
Federal prisons are removing methadone and Suboxone opioid treatments, leaving only a patented once-per-month injection for prisoners.
A large group of experts is raising serious concerns about harms to prisoners––and the corporate motivations behind the move.
drugdatadecoded.ca/150-experts-...
Reposted by Ginetta Salvalaggio
We need more shelters and housing, amputations from frostbite are preventable. www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
Edmonton sees record increase in frostbite amputations, despite innovative treatment | CBC News
Advocates call for more support and changes to policy as new data shows frostbite numbers increased again in Edmonton last winter, with the majority performed on people without housing.
www.cbc.ca
December 15, 2025 at 3:49 PM
We need more shelters and housing, amputations from frostbite are preventable. www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
Reposted by Ginetta Salvalaggio
"The Minister’s office is suggesting that record frostbite amputation surgeries are somehow good news. In what world is amputating a finger or a foot an ‘improved outcome for vulnerable Albertans’!?”
Read more: www.friendsofmedicare.org/record_frost...
Read more: www.friendsofmedicare.org/record_frost...
December 15, 2025 at 8:04 PM
"The Minister’s office is suggesting that record frostbite amputation surgeries are somehow good news. In what world is amputating a finger or a foot an ‘improved outcome for vulnerable Albertans’!?”
Read more: www.friendsofmedicare.org/record_frost...
Read more: www.friendsofmedicare.org/record_frost...
Reposted by Ginetta Salvalaggio
Treaty 8 Grand Chief Trevor Mercredi had some strong words for Canada & Alberta...
He made it clear that Treaty 8 will not just not support, they will actively oppose any new pipelines in the north without consultation & called for an immediate pause.
#abpoli #ableg #cdnpoli
He made it clear that Treaty 8 will not just not support, they will actively oppose any new pipelines in the north without consultation & called for an immediate pause.
#abpoli #ableg #cdnpoli
December 12, 2025 at 2:51 AM
Reposted by Ginetta Salvalaggio
"The expansion of coca cultivation is a direct
driver of deforestation in the Andean valleys
and the Colombian Amazon." - Learn more about how illegal coca cultivation and the drug war are driving climate and environmental disaster www.reformrestorerecover.org/evidence
driver of deforestation in the Andean valleys
and the Colombian Amazon." - Learn more about how illegal coca cultivation and the drug war are driving climate and environmental disaster www.reformrestorerecover.org/evidence
Evidence — REFORM.RESTORE.RECOVER
www.reformrestorerecover.org
December 10, 2025 at 9:54 PM
"The expansion of coca cultivation is a direct
driver of deforestation in the Andean valleys
and the Colombian Amazon." - Learn more about how illegal coca cultivation and the drug war are driving climate and environmental disaster www.reformrestorerecover.org/evidence
driver of deforestation in the Andean valleys
and the Colombian Amazon." - Learn more about how illegal coca cultivation and the drug war are driving climate and environmental disaster www.reformrestorerecover.org/evidence
Reposted by Ginetta Salvalaggio
"Ungoverning is not a neutral act. It is an ethical choice. It shifts power from the many to the few. It transforms rights into commodities. It turns need into opportunity for private profit. And it abandons the belief that a society should be judged by how it treats the vulnerable."
Danielle Smith is "Ungoverning" Alberta
And trying to break the very idea of Canada
markhamhislop.substack.com
December 7, 2025 at 12:40 AM
"Ungoverning is not a neutral act. It is an ethical choice. It shifts power from the many to the few. It transforms rights into commodities. It turns need into opportunity for private profit. And it abandons the belief that a society should be judged by how it treats the vulnerable."
Reposted by Ginetta Salvalaggio
COVID Shots Tied to a Lower Risk of Death From Any Cause medpagetoday.com/infectiousdi...
"After standardizing characteristics between the two groups, all-cause mortality incidence was 25% lower in those who had received a COVID shot."
"After standardizing characteristics between the two groups, all-cause mortality incidence was 25% lower in those who had received a COVID shot."
COVID Shots Tied to a Lower Risk of Death From Any Cause
Advantage held even after removing coronavirus-related deaths from the mix
medpagetoday.com
December 6, 2025 at 9:31 PM
COVID Shots Tied to a Lower Risk of Death From Any Cause medpagetoday.com/infectiousdi...
"After standardizing characteristics between the two groups, all-cause mortality incidence was 25% lower in those who had received a COVID shot."
"After standardizing characteristics between the two groups, all-cause mortality incidence was 25% lower in those who had received a COVID shot."
Reposted by Ginetta Salvalaggio
Of course the courts should be the ones to adjudicate constitutional issues. That’s the whole point of the rule of law, the cornerstone of government. You can’t trust government or popular opinion to determine or safeguard fundamental rights. #cdnpoli www.ctvnews.ca/edmonton/art...
Alberta’s Smith says courts should not be gatekeepers on constitutional questions
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says those seeking an independence referendum should not have “gatekeepers,” like the courts, standing in their way.
www.ctvnews.ca
December 7, 2025 at 3:41 AM
Of course the courts should be the ones to adjudicate constitutional issues. That’s the whole point of the rule of law, the cornerstone of government. You can’t trust government or popular opinion to determine or safeguard fundamental rights. #cdnpoli www.ctvnews.ca/edmonton/art...
Reposted by Ginetta Salvalaggio
Thinking a lot about this moment from literally the first chapter of "1984."
December 2, 2025 at 2:19 PM
Thinking a lot about this moment from literally the first chapter of "1984."
Reposted by Ginetta Salvalaggio
I just wrote this in a report: "researchers must be accountable for conducting ethical research involving Indigenous people when collecting sensitive or sacred Indigenous data, data of Indigenous people at risk of being criminalised, or data of those targeted by so-called child welfare authorities."
no. hey. stop. this is fucked. hey. people. what the fuck
this is all our data.
@oipcbc.bsky.social
@jeff.doctor
@alonghurst.bsky.social
@jameswsthomson.com
this is all our data.
@oipcbc.bsky.social
@jeff.doctor
@alonghurst.bsky.social
@jameswsthomson.com
April 26, 2025 at 8:12 PM
I just wrote this in a report: "researchers must be accountable for conducting ethical research involving Indigenous people when collecting sensitive or sacred Indigenous data, data of Indigenous people at risk of being criminalised, or data of those targeted by so-called child welfare authorities."
Reposted by Ginetta Salvalaggio
Essentially what Danielle Smith is saying is we don’t have three branches of government anymore.
This is among the most democratically dangerous things Danielle Smith has said.
She wants to remove all checks and balances on her power and projects herself as the embodiment of "the people."
We have left the realm of liberal democracy in this province.
She wants to remove all checks and balances on her power and projects herself as the embodiment of "the people."
We have left the realm of liberal democracy in this province.
December 7, 2025 at 2:08 AM
Essentially what Danielle Smith is saying is we don’t have three branches of government anymore.
Reposted by Ginetta Salvalaggio
Poverty and poor health are a deadly mix.
Every WHO region has made strides in expanding health service coverage.
But only three regions—Africa, South-East Asia and the Western Pacific— have managed to ease the financial strain on families.
Every WHO region has made strides in expanding health service coverage.
But only three regions—Africa, South-East Asia and the Western Pacific— have managed to ease the financial strain on families.
December 6, 2025 at 2:14 AM
Poverty and poor health are a deadly mix.
Every WHO region has made strides in expanding health service coverage.
But only three regions—Africa, South-East Asia and the Western Pacific— have managed to ease the financial strain on families.
Every WHO region has made strides in expanding health service coverage.
But only three regions—Africa, South-East Asia and the Western Pacific— have managed to ease the financial strain on families.
Reposted by Ginetta Salvalaggio
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 Ginetta Salvalaggio
Yes! it psychologically dismantles people, removes support networks, reduces physiological tolerance and harvests conditions that fuel environmental salience to drug/alcohol cues. Forced treatment is an ideological comfort blanket for many who lack capacity to address the deeper social problems. 🤔
December 4, 2025 at 10:52 PM
Yes! it psychologically dismantles people, removes support networks, reduces physiological tolerance and harvests conditions that fuel environmental salience to drug/alcohol cues. Forced treatment is an ideological comfort blanket for many who lack capacity to address the deeper social problems. 🤔
Reposted by Ginetta Salvalaggio
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 Ginetta Salvalaggio
What I saw reporting on the American lives cut short by killer heat
What I saw reporting on the American lives cut short by killer heat
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www.theguardian.com
December 5, 2025 at 11:12 AM
What I saw reporting on the American lives cut short by killer heat
Reposted by Ginetta Salvalaggio
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 Ginetta Salvalaggio
From November 26, 2025
manufacturing public consent in partnership with media using anecdote and exploitation as evidence for the coerced and unconstitutional detention of children.
www.ctvnews.ca/vancouver/ar...
manufacturing public consent in partnership with media using anecdote and exploitation as evidence for the coerced and unconstitutional detention of children.
www.ctvnews.ca/vancouver/ar...
December 4, 2025 at 11:02 PM
From November 26, 2025
manufacturing public consent in partnership with media using anecdote and exploitation as evidence for the coerced and unconstitutional detention of children.
www.ctvnews.ca/vancouver/ar...
manufacturing public consent in partnership with media using anecdote and exploitation as evidence for the coerced and unconstitutional detention of children.
www.ctvnews.ca/vancouver/ar...
Reposted by Ginetta Salvalaggio
Canada can’t build pipelines without Indigenous consent
Mark Carney and #Alberta’s pipeline pitch promises co-ownership with First Nations, but without any authority over their land, resources, or revenues.
From Nehiyaw and Metis writer Marcel Desjarlais:
ricochet.media/indigenous/c...
#cdnpoli
Mark Carney and #Alberta’s pipeline pitch promises co-ownership with First Nations, but without any authority over their land, resources, or revenues.
From Nehiyaw and Metis writer Marcel Desjarlais:
ricochet.media/indigenous/c...
#cdnpoli
Canada can’t build pipelines without Indigenous consent
Mark Carney and Danielle Smith’s newest pipeline pitch promises Indigenous co-ownership, but without authority over land, resources, or revenues — reinforcing colonial control rather than partnership
ricochet.media
December 4, 2025 at 5:04 PM
Canada can’t build pipelines without Indigenous consent
Mark Carney and #Alberta’s pipeline pitch promises co-ownership with First Nations, but without any authority over their land, resources, or revenues.
From Nehiyaw and Metis writer Marcel Desjarlais:
ricochet.media/indigenous/c...
#cdnpoli
Mark Carney and #Alberta’s pipeline pitch promises co-ownership with First Nations, but without any authority over their land, resources, or revenues.
From Nehiyaw and Metis writer Marcel Desjarlais:
ricochet.media/indigenous/c...
#cdnpoli
Reposted by Ginetta Salvalaggio
Overdose deaths in the US are down 41% from epidemic peak in 2023. Modelling suggests declines in death are due to 1) decreasing size of the susceptible population; 2) stabilization of the mortality rate.
jamanetwork.com/journals/jam...
jamanetwork.com/journals/jam...
Structural Drivers of the Drop in Opioid Overdose Deaths in the US
This decision analytical model uses the SOURCE model to elucidate factors underlying the recent decline in US overdose deaths.
jamanetwork.com
December 2, 2025 at 4:54 AM
Overdose deaths in the US are down 41% from epidemic peak in 2023. Modelling suggests declines in death are due to 1) decreasing size of the susceptible population; 2) stabilization of the mortality rate.
jamanetwork.com/journals/jam...
jamanetwork.com/journals/jam...
Reposted by Ginetta Salvalaggio
"Liberation doesn’t hinge on extraordinary individuals; it requires structural transformation. When we elevate “heroes,” we risk distorting accountability and reinforcing inequity." (Celeste Pedri-Spade, para 12)
theconversation.com/thomas-king-...
theconversation.com/thomas-king-...
Thomas King: As we learn another ‘hero’ is non-Indigenous, let’s not ignore a broader cultural problem
Indigenous people are more than stories. We deserve a future where our identities are not commodities, and accountability is measured by actions that build trust and repair harm.
theconversation.com
November 30, 2025 at 10:40 PM
"Liberation doesn’t hinge on extraordinary individuals; it requires structural transformation. When we elevate “heroes,” we risk distorting accountability and reinforcing inequity." (Celeste Pedri-Spade, para 12)
theconversation.com/thomas-king-...
theconversation.com/thomas-king-...