Michelle Gamage
@michellegamage.bsky.social
Health reporter for TheTyee.ca. Covering local research, sex, toxic drugs, what your grandmother is up to, and all the different ways you can (but haven't yet) become dead in B.C.
Reposted by Michelle Gamage
great explainer by @michellegamage.bsky.social for @thetyee.ca on the constitutional challenge brought by the Drug User Liberation Front, which is being argued in court now: thetyee.ca/News/2025/12...
What’s at Stake During DULF’s Constitutional Challenge | The Tyee
The case’s outcome could affect the founders’ criminal charges, and Canadian drug laws. A Tyee explainer.
thetyee.ca
December 4, 2025 at 5:59 AM
great explainer by @michellegamage.bsky.social for @thetyee.ca on the constitutional challenge brought by the Drug User Liberation Front, which is being argued in court now: thetyee.ca/News/2025/12...
Being wet, cold, stressed and not having anywhere warm, clean and dry to rest means when people in Vancouver's DTES get an infection it can be incredibly difficult to recover, even with the help of antibiotics.
My latest for @thetyee.ca
thetyee.ca/News/2025/12...
My latest for @thetyee.ca
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 5:42 PM
Being wet, cold, stressed and not having anywhere warm, clean and dry to rest means when people in Vancouver's DTES get an infection it can be incredibly difficult to recover, even with the help of antibiotics.
My latest for @thetyee.ca
thetyee.ca/News/2025/12...
My latest for @thetyee.ca
thetyee.ca/News/2025/12...
Reposted by Michelle Gamage
As Winter Sets In, Infections Creep into the DTES via @thetyee.ca 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 5:32 PM
As Winter Sets In, Infections Creep into the DTES via @thetyee.ca thetyee.ca/News/2025/12...
Reposted by Michelle Gamage
Earlier this fall, the founders of a drug compassion club called DULF were convicted of drug trafficking. Now they're back in court, mounting a constitutional challenge that could change Canadian drug laws. @michellegamage.bsky.social explains what it all means: thetyee.ca/News/2025/12...
What’s at Stake During DULF’s Constitutional Challenge | The Tyee
The case’s outcome could affect the founders’ criminal charges, and Canadian drug laws. A Tyee explainer.
thetyee.ca
December 2, 2025 at 7:54 PM
Earlier this fall, the founders of a drug compassion club called DULF were convicted of drug trafficking. Now they're back in court, mounting a constitutional challenge that could change Canadian drug laws. @michellegamage.bsky.social explains what it all means: thetyee.ca/News/2025/12...
Reposted by Michelle Gamage
DULF is "arguing [..] the government violated Section 7 and Section 15 of its members' Charter rights."
"7 prohibits the state from depriving people of their rights to life."
"15 says all people must [..] have equal protection and benefit from the law."
#BritishColumbia #Canada #Drugs #Courts
"7 prohibits the state from depriving people of their rights to life."
"15 says all people must [..] have equal protection and benefit from the law."
#BritishColumbia #Canada #Drugs #Courts
What's at Stake During DULF's Constitutional Challenge
The case's outcome could affect the founders' criminal charges, and Canadian drug laws. A Tyee explainer.
thetyee.ca
December 3, 2025 at 12:01 PM
DULF is "arguing [..] the government violated Section 7 and Section 15 of its members' Charter rights."
"7 prohibits the state from depriving people of their rights to life."
"15 says all people must [..] have equal protection and benefit from the law."
#BritishColumbia #Canada #Drugs #Courts
"7 prohibits the state from depriving people of their rights to life."
"15 says all people must [..] have equal protection and benefit from the law."
#BritishColumbia #Canada #Drugs #Courts
We should be celebrating how there is a new shot which offers 6 months of protection against the transmission of HIV, the virus which has already infected approximately 40 million living people and taken the lives of 44 million more.
Instead... Trump.
theintercept.com/2025/12/01/w...
Instead... Trump.
theintercept.com/2025/12/01/w...
Trump Gutted AIDS Health Care at the Worst Possible Time
By the first World AIDS Day of his second term, Trump gutted LGBTQ+ employment globally and put humanity at greater risk of AIDS.
theintercept.com
December 2, 2025 at 7:15 PM
We should be celebrating how there is a new shot which offers 6 months of protection against the transmission of HIV, the virus which has already infected approximately 40 million living people and taken the lives of 44 million more.
Instead... Trump.
theintercept.com/2025/12/01/w...
Instead... Trump.
theintercept.com/2025/12/01/w...
"Instead of protecting minors, age verification laws spike usage of virtual private networks and send users—including, potentially, minors—to unregulated or unmoderated sites that don’t care about complying with U.S. or UK laws."
www.404media.co/missouri-age...
www.404media.co/missouri-age...
Half of the US Now Requires You to Upload Your ID or Scan Your Face to Watch Porn
Missouri’s age verification law, enacted on November 30, is the halfway mark for the sweep of age verification laws across the country.
www.404media.co
December 2, 2025 at 7:13 PM
"Instead of protecting minors, age verification laws spike usage of virtual private networks and send users—including, potentially, minors—to unregulated or unmoderated sites that don’t care about complying with U.S. or UK laws."
www.404media.co/missouri-age...
www.404media.co/missouri-age...
“This is a calamity beyond words. This is a horror beyond words. This is a travesty,” Eris Nyx told the court. “This is gutting my community and killing everyone I know.”
What would you do if thousands of your neighbours were dying preventable deaths, every year?
thetyee.ca/News/2025/12...
What would you do if thousands of your neighbours were dying preventable deaths, every year?
thetyee.ca/News/2025/12...
What’s at Stake During DULF’s Constitutional Challenge | The Tyee
The case’s outcome could affect the founders’ criminal charges, and Canadian drug laws. A Tyee explainer.
thetyee.ca
December 2, 2025 at 7:00 PM
“This is a calamity beyond words. This is a horror beyond words. This is a travesty,” Eris Nyx told the court. “This is gutting my community and killing everyone I know.”
What would you do if thousands of your neighbours were dying preventable deaths, every year?
thetyee.ca/News/2025/12...
What would you do if thousands of your neighbours were dying preventable deaths, every year?
thetyee.ca/News/2025/12...
Founders Eris Nyx and Jeremy Kalicum were cross examined in the first week. They spoke about the work they did to follow all of the rules possible and their hopes that this would get gov onside as a partner, working together to save lives.
Unfortunately that didn't work out, so here we are.
Unfortunately that didn't work out, so here we are.
Drug User Liberation Front's founders are arguing their members’ constitutional rights were violated by part of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act.
What’s at Stake During DULF’s Constitutional Challenge | The Tyee
The case’s outcome could affect the founders’ criminal charges, and Canadian drug laws. A Tyee explainer.
thetyee.ca
December 2, 2025 at 6:58 PM
Founders Eris Nyx and Jeremy Kalicum were cross examined in the first week. They spoke about the work they did to follow all of the rules possible and their hopes that this would get gov onside as a partner, working together to save lives.
Unfortunately that didn't work out, so here we are.
Unfortunately that didn't work out, so here we are.
New article for @thetyee.ca just dropped: DULF's latest court case explained. What is a constitutional challenge? What did I see in court for the first week? How far could this case go? What kind of shot do they have? It's all in there, dive in.
thetyee.ca/News/2025/12...
thetyee.ca/News/2025/12...
What’s at Stake During DULF’s Constitutional Challenge | The Tyee
The case’s outcome could affect the founders’ criminal charges, and Canadian drug laws. A Tyee explainer.
thetyee.ca
December 2, 2025 at 6:56 PM
New article for @thetyee.ca just dropped: DULF's latest court case explained. What is a constitutional challenge? What did I see in court for the first week? How far could this case go? What kind of shot do they have? It's all in there, dive in.
thetyee.ca/News/2025/12...
thetyee.ca/News/2025/12...
Regulation saves lives. When drug regulations aren't strict people die. They don't have to die. Alcohol, opioids, stimulants: regulations save lives. In Canada we only strictly regulate alcohol and thankfully a tainted supply doesn't exist. We could regulate more.
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
Brain damage, blindness and death: the global trail of trauma left by methanol-laced alcohol
Methanol, a cheap relative of ethanol, is entering the supply chain, causing thousands of deaths around the world
www.theguardian.com
December 1, 2025 at 5:24 PM
Regulation saves lives. When drug regulations aren't strict people die. They don't have to die. Alcohol, opioids, stimulants: regulations save lives. In Canada we only strictly regulate alcohol and thankfully a tainted supply doesn't exist. We could regulate more.
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
Thread on what I've seen as a journalist for @thetyee.ca this week at DULF's constitutional challenge. They're arguing closing their compassion club put marginalized people at risk of overdose and death.
Explainer article coming early next week.
Explainer article coming early next week.
Been covering DULF's constitutional challenge for @thetyee.ca this week. Crown prosecutors have tried to poke lots of small holes in what founders Eris Nyx and Jeremy Kalicum were doing. Nyx and Kalicum have largely defended themselves saying they were doing the best they knew how at the time.
November 29, 2025 at 1:39 AM
Thread on what I've seen as a journalist for @thetyee.ca this week at DULF's constitutional challenge. They're arguing closing their compassion club put marginalized people at risk of overdose and death.
Explainer article coming early next week.
Explainer article coming early next week.
Been covering DULF's constitutional challenge for @thetyee.ca this week. Crown prosecutors have tried to poke lots of small holes in what founders Eris Nyx and Jeremy Kalicum were doing. Nyx and Kalicum have largely defended themselves saying they were doing the best they knew how at the time.
November 29, 2025 at 12:50 AM
Been covering DULF's constitutional challenge for @thetyee.ca this week. Crown prosecutors have tried to poke lots of small holes in what founders Eris Nyx and Jeremy Kalicum were doing. Nyx and Kalicum have largely defended themselves saying they were doing the best they knew how at the time.
I'm writing about wounds today and I will never stop giggling about how my partner was a paramedic for 7 years before he realized the plural of pus is not "pussy."
There's 7 years worth of paramedic reports out there with "pussy wounds" written on them.
Why am I 10 and that's so dang funny.
There's 7 years worth of paramedic reports out there with "pussy wounds" written on them.
Why am I 10 and that's so dang funny.
November 25, 2025 at 11:59 PM
I'm writing about wounds today and I will never stop giggling about how my partner was a paramedic for 7 years before he realized the plural of pus is not "pussy."
There's 7 years worth of paramedic reports out there with "pussy wounds" written on them.
Why am I 10 and that's so dang funny.
There's 7 years worth of paramedic reports out there with "pussy wounds" written on them.
Why am I 10 and that's so dang funny.
Cutest protest I've ever seen! Still, serious and important. Removing baby changing tables is a slap in the face to parents, especially when other departments (police, fire) are getting a big boost. If the budget passes we'll give the VPD around half a billion every year. But not change tables.
About a dozen parents and children here at Vancouver city hall this morning for a change-in protest in response to the city looking at removing change tables and hygiene stations. Today, council votes on the 2026 budget that would see a zero percent property tax increase.
November 25, 2025 at 5:23 PM
Cutest protest I've ever seen! Still, serious and important. Removing baby changing tables is a slap in the face to parents, especially when other departments (police, fire) are getting a big boost. If the budget passes we'll give the VPD around half a billion every year. But not change tables.
“We need the city to invest in children and
families. Instead, this budget hands the VPD a $50 million
increase, while I am told that maintaining baby change tables is
too expensive and will be cut. I can’t accept that.” - Margie Sanderson, Women Transforming Cities member.
Protest at City Hall tmo
families. Instead, this budget hands the VPD a $50 million
increase, while I am told that maintaining baby change tables is
too expensive and will be cut. I can’t accept that.” - Margie Sanderson, Women Transforming Cities member.
Protest at City Hall tmo
November 24, 2025 at 6:44 PM
“We need the city to invest in children and
families. Instead, this budget hands the VPD a $50 million
increase, while I am told that maintaining baby change tables is
too expensive and will be cut. I can’t accept that.” - Margie Sanderson, Women Transforming Cities member.
Protest at City Hall tmo
families. Instead, this budget hands the VPD a $50 million
increase, while I am told that maintaining baby change tables is
too expensive and will be cut. I can’t accept that.” - Margie Sanderson, Women Transforming Cities member.
Protest at City Hall tmo
Fact check: nicotine patches may not actually treat Long COVID and there isn't a lot of research done on the long-term health risks for non-smokers using nicotine patches.
www.mcgill.ca/oss/article/...
www.mcgill.ca/oss/article/...
The Strange Story of Nicotine Patches to Treat Long COVID
Long COVID can feel like being adrift at sea, tiringly kicking those legs to stay above water. Social media provides lifebuoys but many turn out to be tricks of the light. What about nicotine? On Face...
www.mcgill.ca
November 24, 2025 at 6:23 PM
Fact check: nicotine patches may not actually treat Long COVID and there isn't a lot of research done on the long-term health risks for non-smokers using nicotine patches.
www.mcgill.ca/oss/article/...
www.mcgill.ca/oss/article/...
"Our tongues aren’t just wet flavour rugs."
That's all.
Okay well actually "They’re covered in tiny wart-like structures."
Fun story on how you taste everything, all over your tongue. With some excellent, toe-curling phrases thrown in.
www.mcgill.ca/oss/article/...
That's all.
Okay well actually "They’re covered in tiny wart-like structures."
Fun story on how you taste everything, all over your tongue. With some excellent, toe-curling phrases thrown in.
www.mcgill.ca/oss/article/...
The Tongue Map Trap
Let me set the scene: it’s the evening, I’m doomscrolling in bed (as is tradition), and a video from Emma Chamberlain pops up. She's slurping espresso with a “coffee expert” who confidently explains t...
www.mcgill.ca
November 24, 2025 at 6:15 PM
"Our tongues aren’t just wet flavour rugs."
That's all.
Okay well actually "They’re covered in tiny wart-like structures."
Fun story on how you taste everything, all over your tongue. With some excellent, toe-curling phrases thrown in.
www.mcgill.ca/oss/article/...
That's all.
Okay well actually "They’re covered in tiny wart-like structures."
Fun story on how you taste everything, all over your tongue. With some excellent, toe-curling phrases thrown in.
www.mcgill.ca/oss/article/...
Reposted by Michelle Gamage
"[N]umber of sex workers using the Kingsway drop-in space [has doubled], which is likely due to the overall reduction in services for sex workers in Vancouver."
"For the funding to be at risk in this moment in time feels particularly dangerous to me."
#BritishColumbia #Canada #SexWork #Nonprofit
"For the funding to be at risk in this moment in time feels particularly dangerous to me."
#BritishColumbia #Canada #SexWork #Nonprofit
Vancouver's Last Sex Worker Drop-In Centre May Shutter in Spring
The city is changing how it funds Kingsway Community Station. That’s 'dangerous,' its program director says.
thetyee.ca
November 21, 2025 at 8:52 PM
"[N]umber of sex workers using the Kingsway drop-in space [has doubled], which is likely due to the overall reduction in services for sex workers in Vancouver."
"For the funding to be at risk in this moment in time feels particularly dangerous to me."
#BritishColumbia #Canada #SexWork #Nonprofit
"For the funding to be at risk in this moment in time feels particularly dangerous to me."
#BritishColumbia #Canada #SexWork #Nonprofit
Reposted by Michelle Gamage
Vancouver’s last drop-in space for sex workers is facing an uncertain future as the city changes how it funds the non-profit. @michellegamage.bsky.social reports. #vanpoli
Vancouver’s Last Sex Worker Drop-In Centre May Shutter in Spring | The Tyee
The city is changing how it funds Kingsway Community Station. That’s ‘dangerous,’ its program director says.
thetyee.ca
November 21, 2025 at 3:27 PM
Vancouver’s last drop-in space for sex workers is facing an uncertain future as the city changes how it funds the non-profit. @michellegamage.bsky.social reports. #vanpoli
Reposted by Michelle Gamage
Vancouver's Last Sex Worker Drop-In Centre May Shutter in Spring thetyee.ca/News/2025/11... @michellegamage.bsky.social @thetyee.ca
𝗠𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗻𝗲𝘄𝘀 ⇢ CanadaHealthwatch.ca 🍁
𝗠𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗻𝗲𝘄𝘀 ⇢ CanadaHealthwatch.ca 🍁
November 21, 2025 at 3:44 PM
Vancouver's Last Sex Worker Drop-In Centre May Shutter in Spring thetyee.ca/News/2025/11... @michellegamage.bsky.social @thetyee.ca
𝗠𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗻𝗲𝘄𝘀 ⇢ CanadaHealthwatch.ca 🍁
𝗠𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗻𝗲𝘄𝘀 ⇢ CanadaHealthwatch.ca 🍁
Vancouver's last all-night drop in centre for street-based sex workers is facing an uncertain future as the city considers changing how its funded.
If the KCS closed there would be no other drop in centres for sex workers, anywhere in the city. That's dangerous.
thetyee.ca/News/2025/11...
If the KCS closed there would be no other drop in centres for sex workers, anywhere in the city. That's dangerous.
thetyee.ca/News/2025/11...
Vancouver’s Last Sex Worker Drop-In Centre May Shutter in Spring | The Tyee
The city is changing how it funds Kingsway Community Station. That’s ‘dangerous,’ its program director says.
thetyee.ca
November 21, 2025 at 6:46 PM
Vancouver's last all-night drop in centre for street-based sex workers is facing an uncertain future as the city considers changing how its funded.
If the KCS closed there would be no other drop in centres for sex workers, anywhere in the city. That's dangerous.
thetyee.ca/News/2025/11...
If the KCS closed there would be no other drop in centres for sex workers, anywhere in the city. That's dangerous.
thetyee.ca/News/2025/11...
Reposted by Michelle Gamage
The City of Vancouver is changing its funding model for the city’s last drop-in space for vulnerable sex workers, leading to concerns it may have to close.
Kingsway Community Station supports some of the most marginalized people in our city. by @michellegamage.bsky.social thetyee.ca/News/2025/11...
Kingsway Community Station supports some of the most marginalized people in our city. by @michellegamage.bsky.social thetyee.ca/News/2025/11...
Vancouver’s Last Sex Worker Drop-In Centre May Shutter in Spring | The Tyee
The city is changing how it funds Kingsway Community Station. That’s ‘dangerous,’ its program director says.
thetyee.ca
November 21, 2025 at 3:33 PM
The City of Vancouver is changing its funding model for the city’s last drop-in space for vulnerable sex workers, leading to concerns it may have to close.
Kingsway Community Station supports some of the most marginalized people in our city. by @michellegamage.bsky.social thetyee.ca/News/2025/11...
Kingsway Community Station supports some of the most marginalized people in our city. by @michellegamage.bsky.social thetyee.ca/News/2025/11...
Really alarmed to see any government use a notwithstanding clause. That should be for extraordinary circumstances, not for punishing trans kids.
Incredible explainer from @melwoods.me
thetyee.ca/Opinion/2025...
Incredible explainer from @melwoods.me
thetyee.ca/Opinion/2025...
Danielle Smith Goes Nuclear on Trans Rights | The Tyee
Alberta’s premier is overriding Charter protections. Here’s a fact check on her claims.
thetyee.ca
November 21, 2025 at 12:28 AM
Really alarmed to see any government use a notwithstanding clause. That should be for extraordinary circumstances, not for punishing trans kids.
Incredible explainer from @melwoods.me
thetyee.ca/Opinion/2025...
Incredible explainer from @melwoods.me
thetyee.ca/Opinion/2025...
Mayor Sim making a completely nonsense claim that spending an extra $5.6 million on police reduced overdoses. Several experts reply: "lol what? Absolutely not."
Will Sim claim VPD reduced rents next? Or made groceries more affordable? Whatever to justify paying them nearly HALF A BILLION every year.
Will Sim claim VPD reduced rents next? Or made groceries more affordable? Whatever to justify paying them nearly HALF A BILLION every year.
www.ctvnews.ca/vancouver/ar...
“Lives are at stake. And to suggest that policing is having that kind of impact on overdose deaths, when that is really not what evidence supports and is not what the data supports, is irresponsible and a real disservice to the public.”
#bcpoli #harmreduction
“Lives are at stake. And to suggest that policing is having that kind of impact on overdose deaths, when that is really not what evidence supports and is not what the data supports, is irresponsible and a real disservice to the public.”
#bcpoli #harmreduction
Vancouver mayor credits DTES task force with reducing overdoses. Here’s what public health experts say
Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim continues to laud the impacts of a police-led task force focused on crime on Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside, claiming it led to a reduction in overdoses.
www.ctvnews.ca
November 20, 2025 at 6:46 PM
Mayor Sim making a completely nonsense claim that spending an extra $5.6 million on police reduced overdoses. Several experts reply: "lol what? Absolutely not."
Will Sim claim VPD reduced rents next? Or made groceries more affordable? Whatever to justify paying them nearly HALF A BILLION every year.
Will Sim claim VPD reduced rents next? Or made groceries more affordable? Whatever to justify paying them nearly HALF A BILLION every year.