Ginger Sullivan

Biography: Dr. Ginger Sullivan is a registered nurse (RN) and an early-career researcher. Ginger’s passion for research stems from her experience as a frontline nurse working in mental health and substance use services in Alberta and British Columbia. Currently an assistant professor in the Faculty of Nursing of MacEwan, Ginger’s emerging program of research focuses on supporting and strengthening women affected by substance use and multiple forms of violence–populations whose needs remain underserved in Alberta and across Canada.

Node Funded Project (Apr 2026)

Title: Involuntary Substance Use Services: Understanding and Addressing Impacts for Women and Gender Diverse People in Alberta

Principal Investigators: Ginger Sullivan

Co-investigators/collaborators: Heather Morris, Caroline Boucher, Lisa Weisgerber, Elaine Hyshka, Ginetta Salvalaggio, Rebecca Rich

Description: In Alberta, involuntary (mandatory/compulsory) substance use treatment has been adopted as a policy response to substance use, despite limited and inconclusive evidence demonstrating improvements in health, safety, or social outcomes. Women and gender diverse people who use substances experience intersecting inequities related to gender-based violence, stigma, colonialism, poverty, caregiving, and parenting responsibilities. These harms are especially pronounced among First Nations and other Indigenous women. Due to the enduring impacts of colonization and systemic racism, First Nations women in Canada are estimated to be 11 times more likely to die from overdose compared to non-Indigenous women. The purpose of the project is twofold: 1) Conduct a rapid review of peer-reviewed literature examining the impacts of involuntary or compulsory substance use services, with explicit attention to gendered and equity-related effects for women and gender diverse people; and 2) Undertake structured engagement with First Nations, Inuit, and Metis substance use service providers in Alberta to identify practical navigation challenges and resource needs within the evolving policy landscape.