What Your Agency Can Do

The drug poisoning crisis in Toronto remains a serious public health issue. Each overdose, whether fatal or not, has a devastating impact on people who use drugs, their families, friends and many others who work tirelessly to provide support for people who use drugs. There are steps your agency can take to help. Find out how your agency can add or adjust services so that people who use drugs feel welcome, supported and safe.

Businesses can learn more about creating safe spaces for staff and patrons during the overdose crisis.

Complete Online Overdose Training

In response to increasing concerns about opioid overdose in Toronto, The Works at Toronto Public Health is providing free online training for staff at community-based organizations to assist them in responding to opioid overdose. The content in this training is also applicable to the general public in their potential roles as overdose responders. This training reviews the signs of opioid overdose, risk factors for opioid overdose, and how to respond to an opioid overdose including how to administer naloxone.

The Works’ overdose training is available as an on-demand module and pre-scheduled live webinar. Please click the applicable button below to access the module or webinar registration page.

On-Demand Module

Launch the Overdose Training Module

Download the Overdose Training Module as a PDF.

Live Webinar

The live webinar schedule will be updated as new sessions are added. Please check back for new dates.

To follow up on training content or request consultation for organizational overdose policy development, contact workstraining@toronto.ca.

Become a Naloxone Distributor

Eligible organizations (as defined by the Ministry of Health) for the distribution of naloxone will be able to obtain naloxone through The Works for distribution to their clients who are at risk of opioid overdose. For more information on the process and eligibility for an agency to distribute naloxone.

Refer Your Clients to Supervised Consumption Services

International research shows that supervised consumption services reduce drug overdoses, save lives and limit the spread of HIV and hepatitis C related to unsafe injection practices. In addition to supervised consumption of drugs, individuals using these health services will be provided with sterile injection supplies, education on overdose prevention and intervention, health counselling services and referrals to drug treatment, housing, income support and other services.

Supervised consumption services are a part of Toronto’s Overdose Action Plan.

Find supervised consumption services in Toronto.

Protect People from Discrimination

Ensure that your organization complies with provincial policy and legislation that protects people from discrimination and requires a “duty to accommodate.”

Ontario Human Rights Code
Policy on preventing discrimination based on mental health and addictions
Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities
Involve people who use drugs on your Board of Directors, staff hiring committees, etc.
Develop harm reduction and/or human rights policies for your organization.
Hire people with lived/living experience.
Create a welcoming, non-judgemental environment.
Involve people who use drugs in developing, implementing and evaluating policies and programs.
Offer low-threshold services specifically for people who use drugs.
Ensure your intake and assessment forms do not use stigmatizing language or ask for information that is not relevant to the service being provided.
Learn more about using non-stigmatizing language related to substance use here.
Ensure staff and volunteers receive anti-stigma training.
Add discussions about stigma and discrimination as a standing item to team meetings.
Create a staff group to identify and address service barriers and challenges.

Resources