Toronto residents are being urged to stay vigilant following a concerning surge in opioid overdoses during the recent holiday season. Toronto Public Health has issued a warning after Toronto paramedic services responded to 122 suspected opioid overdose incidents between Dec. 20 and Dec. 28. This represents a significant 35% increase compared to the typical average for this time period. Despite the rise in overdoses, the number of fatal cases remains relatively low, with fewer than five reported during this period.
Expressing condolences to those affected by the crisis, Toronto Public Health emphasized the urgent need for awareness and precautions. Of particular concern is the contamination of the unregulated drug supply, as indicated by Toronto’s Drug Checking Service detecting elevated levels of para-fluorofentanyl in fentanyl samples. Furthermore, alarming findings revealed that 81% of tested fentanyl samples contained medetomidine, a veterinary tranquilizer that heightens the risk of overdose and complicates medical intervention.
To mitigate risks, Toronto Public Health advises individuals who use drugs to adopt safety measures such as avoiding solitary use. The city is actively promoting access to supervised consumption sites, a 24-hour overdose response hotline at 1-888-688-6677, and the Be Safe app, which connects users to immediate emergency assistance.