Euan Thomson
@drugdatadecoded.ca
Investigations on the Alberta Recovery Model: www.drugdatadecoded.ca
✍️ APTN, Alberta Views, The Breach, The Tyee
PhD Microbiology
Banner: Access to information in Alberta
Icon: Headshot of me in blue t-shirt
✍️ APTN, Alberta Views, The Breach, The Tyee
PhD Microbiology
Banner: Access to information in Alberta
Icon: Headshot of me in blue t-shirt
Pinned
Euan Thomson
@drugdatadecoded.ca
· Sep 26
🧵 My story, "What's Wrong With Rehab?" won Gold for Long-Form at Alberta Magazine Awards last night!
Thanks to @albertaviews.bsky.social & all who shared expertise: Brandon Shaw, Esther Tailfeathers, @ehyshka.bsky.social, David Hodgins & recovery workers. 1/
albertaviews.ca/whats-wrong-...
Thanks to @albertaviews.bsky.social & all who shared expertise: Brandon Shaw, Esther Tailfeathers, @ehyshka.bsky.social, David Hodgins & recovery workers. 1/
albertaviews.ca/whats-wrong-...
Reposted by Euan Thomson
white people desperately trying to protect policing as they notice the rising consensus for abolishing ICE
January 12, 2026 at 9:47 PM
white people desperately trying to protect policing as they notice the rising consensus for abolishing ICE
One tiny supervised consumption site in a hospital had more visits than the virtual supervised consumption app launched via sole-source contracts & advertised for 4 years.
The data show that one site probably reverses more overdoses in one year than the app has been involved within in 4 years.
The data show that one site probably reverses more overdoses in one year than the app has been involved within in 4 years.
January 12, 2026 at 11:13 PM
One tiny supervised consumption site in a hospital had more visits than the virtual supervised consumption app launched via sole-source contracts & advertised for 4 years.
The data show that one site probably reverses more overdoses in one year than the app has been involved within in 4 years.
The data show that one site probably reverses more overdoses in one year than the app has been involved within in 4 years.
Reposted by Euan Thomson
We are literally seeing forced-treatment facilities being built in carceral settings in BC.
Massachussetts physician reporting on the results of that state’s forced abstinence legislation: “Three out of four men [committed to involuntary treatment] end up receiving services in a carceral setting.”
January 12, 2026 at 9:45 PM
We are literally seeing forced-treatment facilities being built in carceral settings in BC.
Massachussetts physician reporting on the results of that state’s forced abstinence legislation: “Three out of four men [committed to involuntary treatment] end up receiving services in a carceral setting.”
January 12, 2026 at 9:34 PM
Massachussetts physician reporting on the results of that state’s forced abstinence legislation: “Three out of four men [committed to involuntary treatment] end up receiving services in a carceral setting.”
Dr Bonnie Larson, who has more credibility in her left pocket than the entire Alberta government, spoke to @cmaj.ca podcast on forced drug withdrawal legislation:
www.buzzsprout.com/1815691?clie...
www.buzzsprout.com/1815691?clie...
Podcast Episode
www.buzzsprout.com
January 12, 2026 at 9:26 PM
Dr Bonnie Larson, who has more credibility in her left pocket than the entire Alberta government, spoke to @cmaj.ca podcast on forced drug withdrawal legislation:
www.buzzsprout.com/1815691?clie...
www.buzzsprout.com/1815691?clie...
Incredible – Minister Rick Wilson told CBC in November he was closing the Royal Alex Hospital supervised consumption site because it wasn't being used enough.
In 2024, drugs were consumed at the site 1,212 times – 55% more than the total DORS app sessions. DORS still has an operating contract.
In 2024, drugs were consumed at the site 1,212 times – 55% more than the total DORS app sessions. DORS still has an operating contract.
SCOOP 🧵
The DORS app was supposed to keep people safe while using drugs at home. But in 4 years, it has activated just 51 ambulances.
The app isn't used 41% of days.
Meanwhile, the AB govt is dismantling the option that works: supervised consumption. 1/
drugdatadecoded.ca/overdose-app...
The DORS app was supposed to keep people safe while using drugs at home. But in 4 years, it has activated just 51 ambulances.
The app isn't used 41% of days.
Meanwhile, the AB govt is dismantling the option that works: supervised consumption. 1/
drugdatadecoded.ca/overdose-app...
Overdose app falters as Alberta government accelerates war on supervised consumption
Launched to government fanfare on sole-source contracts, the Digital Overdose Response System app is barely used most days and has registered just 51 ambulance dispatches over four years –– around 0.1...
drugdatadecoded.ca
January 12, 2026 at 7:45 PM
Incredible – Minister Rick Wilson told CBC in November he was closing the Royal Alex Hospital supervised consumption site because it wasn't being used enough.
In 2024, drugs were consumed at the site 1,212 times – 55% more than the total DORS app sessions. DORS still has an operating contract.
In 2024, drugs were consumed at the site 1,212 times – 55% more than the total DORS app sessions. DORS still has an operating contract.
I believe police never stopped using facial recognition after being caught jn 2020-21, merely pivoting to “image recognition” technology which accomplishes the same thing: drugdatadecoded.ca/calgary-poli...
Meanwhile, Edmonton police are now using it in bodycams: edmontonjournal.com/news/local-n...
Meanwhile, Edmonton police are now using it in bodycams: edmontonjournal.com/news/local-n...
Calgary police "image recognition" software identifies individuals in photos & videos posted online
Documents show that two years after being caught using Clearview AI facial recognition software, Calgary police signed contracts for AI software that scours photos and videos for individuals. Have pol...
drugdatadecoded.ca
January 12, 2026 at 5:08 PM
I believe police never stopped using facial recognition after being caught jn 2020-21, merely pivoting to “image recognition” technology which accomplishes the same thing: drugdatadecoded.ca/calgary-poli...
Meanwhile, Edmonton police are now using it in bodycams: edmontonjournal.com/news/local-n...
Meanwhile, Edmonton police are now using it in bodycams: edmontonjournal.com/news/local-n...
Reposted by Euan Thomson
Remember the scandal over Clearview AI?
The RCMP’s use of that program was found to have violated Canada’s federal private sector privacy laws.
It’s not much of a stretch to imagine our chains - Loblaw, Sobeys and Metro, plus Walmart and Costco - may follow suit (if they haven’t already).
The RCMP’s use of that program was found to have violated Canada’s federal private sector privacy laws.
It’s not much of a stretch to imagine our chains - Loblaw, Sobeys and Metro, plus Walmart and Costco - may follow suit (if they haven’t already).
The biggest chains in America are using facial recognition technology to try to stop shoplifting. But most customers are unaware their faces are being scanned while they shop.
https://cnn.it/4jGXMTQ
https://cnn.it/4jGXMTQ
January 12, 2026 at 5:04 PM
Remember the scandal over Clearview AI?
The RCMP’s use of that program was found to have violated Canada’s federal private sector privacy laws.
It’s not much of a stretch to imagine our chains - Loblaw, Sobeys and Metro, plus Walmart and Costco - may follow suit (if they haven’t already).
The RCMP’s use of that program was found to have violated Canada’s federal private sector privacy laws.
It’s not much of a stretch to imagine our chains - Loblaw, Sobeys and Metro, plus Walmart and Costco - may follow suit (if they haven’t already).
Reposted by Euan Thomson
This morning in Vancouver, Amber Bracken will take on the RCMP in a historic lawsuit brought by @thenarwhal.ca over her arrest while working in the field. @arnokopecky.bsky.social on why this lawsuit matters.
A historic fight for press freedom begins
Four years after a dramatic arrest, Amber Bracken and The Narwhal are turning the tables and suing the RCMP. The trial starts today.
www.nationalobserver.com
January 12, 2026 at 2:56 PM
This morning in Vancouver, Amber Bracken will take on the RCMP in a historic lawsuit brought by @thenarwhal.ca over her arrest while working in the field. @arnokopecky.bsky.social on why this lawsuit matters.
Great coverage Arno. All that context back to Justin Brake’s arrest is really helpful
January 12, 2026 at 3:27 PM
Great coverage Arno. All that context back to Justin Brake’s arrest is really helpful
Reposted by Euan Thomson
As resource extraction and protests are both poised to ramp up — and with events in the US highlighting how unhinged "law enforcement" can get — the freedom for journalists to scrutinize tense interactions has never mattered more.
Big trial, starting today.
www.nationalobserver.com/2026/01/12/a...
Big trial, starting today.
www.nationalobserver.com/2026/01/12/a...
A historic fight for press freedom begins
Four years after a dramatic arrest, Amber Bracken and The Narwhal are turning the tables and suing the RCMP. The trial starts today.
www.nationalobserver.com
January 12, 2026 at 3:18 PM
As resource extraction and protests are both poised to ramp up — and with events in the US highlighting how unhinged "law enforcement" can get — the freedom for journalists to scrutinize tense interactions has never mattered more.
Big trial, starting today.
www.nationalobserver.com/2026/01/12/a...
Big trial, starting today.
www.nationalobserver.com/2026/01/12/a...
peak slimeball politics
Since 2020, “rule of law” became politicians’ mantra, urging police to shut down #Wetsuweten solidarity blockades.
Fast-forward six years, the line has been abandoned in favour of something suggesting law is not so much a rule but something to be manipulated.
@amandafollett.bsky.social writes. 🪧💬
Fast-forward six years, the line has been abandoned in favour of something suggesting law is not so much a rule but something to be manipulated.
@amandafollett.bsky.social writes. 🪧💬
What Happened to the ‘Rule of Law’? | The Tyee
It was a common refrain during the Wet’suwet’en pipeline conflict. But when courts side with First Nations, politicians are more equivocal.
thetyee.ca
January 12, 2026 at 3:04 PM
peak slimeball politics
I have emphasized since AHS allegations broke in February that all major contracts issued by the Ministry of Mental Health and Addiction, where Marshall Smith was chief of staff from 2019-22, should be reviewed by the Auditor General.
This includes DORS. 12/
drugdatadecoded.ca/marshall-smi...
This includes DORS. 12/
drugdatadecoded.ca/marshall-smi...
Marshall Smith allegations should prompt full procurement investigation
The Globe & Mail is reporting top-level allegations that Marshall Smith, former chief of staff to the Alberta premier, interfered in AHS procurement. If a forensic investigation proceeds, it must exte...
drugdatadecoded.ca
January 12, 2026 at 2:27 PM
I have emphasized since AHS allegations broke in February that all major contracts issued by the Ministry of Mental Health and Addiction, where Marshall Smith was chief of staff from 2019-22, should be reviewed by the Auditor General.
This includes DORS. 12/
drugdatadecoded.ca/marshall-smi...
This includes DORS. 12/
drugdatadecoded.ca/marshall-smi...
That reporting by Rusnell for @thetyee.ca showed ROSC Solutions Group (RSG), which runs 5 companies on Alberta public funding, touring a building with ministry staff months before Sam Mraiche bought it and leased it to RSG for a detox centre (via Métis Nation). 11/
thetyee.ca/News/2026/01...
thetyee.ca/News/2026/01...
Another Building Purchase by Sam Mraiche Raises Questions | The Tyee
Not long after Addiction Ministry representatives toured the property, Mraiche bought it. Now it’s a detox centre leased to Métis Nation of Alberta.
thetyee.ca
January 12, 2026 at 2:23 PM
That reporting by Rusnell for @thetyee.ca showed ROSC Solutions Group (RSG), which runs 5 companies on Alberta public funding, touring a building with ministry staff months before Sam Mraiche bought it and leased it to RSG for a detox centre (via Métis Nation). 11/
thetyee.ca/News/2026/01...
thetyee.ca/News/2026/01...
This story also links the DORS app saga into the CorruptCare scandal.
The CEO of a company @charlesrusnell.bsky.social reported is profiting from questionable AB govt procurement was the chair of a 2021 panel that reportedly set the table for DORS. 10/
drugdatadecoded.ca/overdose-app...
The CEO of a company @charlesrusnell.bsky.social reported is profiting from questionable AB govt procurement was the chair of a 2021 panel that reportedly set the table for DORS. 10/
drugdatadecoded.ca/overdose-app...
Overdose app falters as Alberta government accelerates war on supervised consumption
Launched to government fanfare on sole-source contracts, the Digital Overdose Response System app is barely used most days and has registered just 51 ambulance dispatches over four years –– around 0.1...
drugdatadecoded.ca
January 12, 2026 at 2:19 PM
This story also links the DORS app saga into the CorruptCare scandal.
The CEO of a company @charlesrusnell.bsky.social reported is profiting from questionable AB govt procurement was the chair of a 2021 panel that reportedly set the table for DORS. 10/
drugdatadecoded.ca/overdose-app...
The CEO of a company @charlesrusnell.bsky.social reported is profiting from questionable AB govt procurement was the chair of a 2021 panel that reportedly set the table for DORS. 10/
drugdatadecoded.ca/overdose-app...
Reposted by Euan Thomson
Do Canadian MPs actually connect with the public on X?
I looked at RTs and views for every tweet* sent by Liberal MPs yesterday
Out of 46 tweets, 21 Liberal MPs racked up a combined 475 retweets
34% had zero RTs. Only 17% got more than 10 RTs
3 tweets accounted for over half of all engagement
I looked at RTs and views for every tweet* sent by Liberal MPs yesterday
Out of 46 tweets, 21 Liberal MPs racked up a combined 475 retweets
34% had zero RTs. Only 17% got more than 10 RTs
3 tweets accounted for over half of all engagement
January 12, 2026 at 1:27 PM
Do Canadian MPs actually connect with the public on X?
I looked at RTs and views for every tweet* sent by Liberal MPs yesterday
Out of 46 tweets, 21 Liberal MPs racked up a combined 475 retweets
34% had zero RTs. Only 17% got more than 10 RTs
3 tweets accounted for over half of all engagement
I looked at RTs and views for every tweet* sent by Liberal MPs yesterday
Out of 46 tweets, 21 Liberal MPs racked up a combined 475 retweets
34% had zero RTs. Only 17% got more than 10 RTs
3 tweets accounted for over half of all engagement
Reposted by Euan Thomson
Canada isn't banning X and its ministers continue to use it. Ok. What are the consequences of creating child sex abuse material and deepfake porn? www.thestar.com/news/canada/...
Canada not considering a ban on X over deepfake controversy, AI minister says
The platform, which is owned by Elon Musk, has been embroiled in controversy over sexualized deepfakes of women and children created by X’s chatbot Grok.
www.thestar.com
January 11, 2026 at 8:20 PM
Canada isn't banning X and its ministers continue to use it. Ok. What are the consequences of creating child sex abuse material and deepfake porn? www.thestar.com/news/canada/...
Reposted by Euan Thomson
Supervised Consumption Service Closures will lead to More Harm and Busier Emergency Rooms www.friendsofmedicare.org/supervised_c...
Supervised Consumption Site Closures will lead to More Harm and Busier Emergency Rooms
Supervised Consumption Service Closures will lead to More Harm and Busier Emergency Rooms
www.friendsofmedicare.org
January 2, 2026 at 9:57 PM
Supervised Consumption Service Closures will lead to More Harm and Busier Emergency Rooms www.friendsofmedicare.org/supervised_c...
Got anything to say about the finding that supervised consumption sites reduce crime, or the decades of evidence that cops do not?
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
Crime rates declined over time near Toronto supervised drug consumption sites, study suggests | CBC News
A new study has found that overdose prevention sites and supervised consumption sites were not associated with overall increases in crime rates in Toronto neighbourhoods.
www.cbc.ca
January 11, 2026 at 5:13 PM
Got anything to say about the finding that supervised consumption sites reduce crime, or the decades of evidence that cops do not?
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
He liked their ten percent off! Shame they weren’t very discreet.
January 11, 2026 at 5:10 PM
He liked their ten percent off! Shame they weren’t very discreet.
If he folded so easily on his own business, imagine what people could make him do to X
January 11, 2026 at 5:06 PM
If he folded so easily on his own business, imagine what people could make him do to X
Reposted by Euan Thomson
I’m old enough to remember the anti-genocide encampments y’all defamed.
January 11, 2026 at 4:46 PM
I’m old enough to remember the anti-genocide encampments y’all defamed.
Where were you when Michael Brown was killed by officer Darren Wilson?
Here’s what Evan Solomon and Mark Carney were doing.
www.thestar.com/news/gta/cbc...
Here’s what Evan Solomon and Mark Carney were doing.
www.thestar.com/news/gta/cbc...
CBC host Evan Solomon fired after Star investigation finds he took secret cut of art deals
CBC journalist facilitated sales of art to wealthy Canadians he dealt with in his job — including one buyer who had no idea Solomon was collecting a commission.
www.thestar.com
January 11, 2026 at 4:48 PM
Where were you when Michael Brown was killed by officer Darren Wilson?
Here’s what Evan Solomon and Mark Carney were doing.
www.thestar.com/news/gta/cbc...
Here’s what Evan Solomon and Mark Carney were doing.
www.thestar.com/news/gta/cbc...
Around 2014, when Solomon was using his CBC job to peddle art to Mark Carney, BLM was mobilizing against racist state brutality in Ferguson.
Now Carney has tasked Solomon with cheerleading the worst evils of AI while ICE uses it to rebuild apartheid.
www.404media.co/ice-is-using...
Now Carney has tasked Solomon with cheerleading the worst evils of AI while ICE uses it to rebuild apartheid.
www.404media.co/ice-is-using...
January 11, 2026 at 4:45 PM
Around 2014, when Solomon was using his CBC job to peddle art to Mark Carney, BLM was mobilizing against racist state brutality in Ferguson.
Now Carney has tasked Solomon with cheerleading the worst evils of AI while ICE uses it to rebuild apartheid.
www.404media.co/ice-is-using...
Now Carney has tasked Solomon with cheerleading the worst evils of AI while ICE uses it to rebuild apartheid.
www.404media.co/ice-is-using...
Reposted by Euan Thomson
Not pissing off Elon Musk and Canada’s right-wing tech bros is far more important to Evan Solomon than protecting Canadians from deepfake sexual abuse and acting on child sexual abuse material.
The concept of posting “Canada is not considering a ban of X” as a QUOTE of your post condemning deepfake sexual abuse happening **ON X** of women and kids………….
January 11, 2026 at 6:16 AM
Not pissing off Elon Musk and Canada’s right-wing tech bros is far more important to Evan Solomon than protecting Canadians from deepfake sexual abuse and acting on child sexual abuse material.