Today, Mayor Olivia Chow proclaimed Sunday, August 31, as Overdose Awareness Day in Toronto, joining communities around the world to recognize the international day of observation. This day marks the world’s largest annual campaign to end overdoses, honour the lives lost and challenge the stigma faced by people who use drugs and their loved ones.
This year’s theme, “One Big Family, Driven by Hope,” reflects the power of unity and compassion in preventing overdose deaths and supporting those impacted by the drug toxicity epidemic.
On Sunday night, the CN Tower and the Toronto Sign in Nathan Phillips Square will be lit purple. The Mayor’s Overdose Awareness Day proclamation can be found on the City’s Proclamations website.
Toronto continues to experience the devastating impacts of a drug toxicity epidemic. Preliminary data from the Office of the Chief Coroner for Ontario show 463 confirmed and probable opioid toxicity deaths in Toronto in 2024 and 527 deaths in 2023. While deaths in 2024 decreased by 17 per cent compared to the 2020-2022 average, they remain 49 per cent higher than pre-pandemic levels (2017-2019 average). Data is available at the Toronto Overdose Information System webpage.
Naloxone saves lives
Naloxone is a safe medication that can temporarily reverse an opioid overdose. TPH’s POINT program provides free training to people who use opioids, their friends and families on how to prevent, recognize and respond to an overdose. Participants receive a take-home naloxone kit with instructions. Learn more and complete the training today, visit the City’s webpage.
Responding to the drug toxicity epidemic in Toronto
In the past year, the City of Toronto and community partners have undertaken several actions to address the crisis, including:
TPH also provides substance use services, including treatment, referrals to primary care and supportive housing. More information on these services is available on the City’s website.
TPH is also collaborating with community partners to expand mobile outreach and case management, meeting people where they are to facilitate equitable access to life-saving care and resources.
Shelter system and the drug toxicity epidemic
People experiencing homelessness continue to be disproportionately impacted by the drug toxicity epidemic, mainly due to the ongoing toxicity and unpredictability of the unregulated drug supply
Fatal and non-fatal suspected overdoses in homelessness services settings decreased by 30 and 36 per cent, respectively, between 2023 and 2024, acute drug toxicity remained the leading cause of death in 2024.
The City, guided by a human rights-based approach and the Our Health, Our City: A Mental Health, Substance Use, Harm Reduction and Treatment Strategy for Toronto, remains committed to implementing evidence-based harm reduction and overdose response measures, including education on safer substance use and disposal of harm reduction supplies and connections to community and health services, such as treatment.
Quotes:
“On International Overdose Awareness Day, we unite, driven by hope, to honour the lives we’ve lost, and the loved ones left behind. We also recognize the incredible dedication of front-line workers and community partners who show compassion and care every single day. Together, with hope as our guide, we can break stigma, strengthen connection and prevent more loss in our city.”
– Mayor Olivia Chow
“The City of Toronto remains committed to addressing the drug toxicity epidemic through initiatives like the Downtown Community Outreach Response and Engagement (CORE) Team, which is connecting people in need to care and support every day. Through collaboration among City divisions, government partners, health and social service providers and communities, we can reduce the harms associated with drug use and save lives.”
– Councillor Chris Moise (Toronto Centre), Chair of the Board of Health
“International Overdose Awareness Day reminds us of the lives lost and the preventable community impacts of the drug toxicity epidemic. With urgent collective action we can reduce stigma, support those at risk, and facilitate access to life-saving services.”
– Dr. Na-Koshie Lamptey, Acting Medical Officer of Health
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