Two overdose deaths prompt police to issue safety alert

Toronto police have issued a public safety alert after an increase in drug overdoses in parts of the city.

On Thursday, police said a man and woman, both aged 39, were found unresponsive inside a property in the area of Dupont Street and Spadina Road at 12:45 a.m. They were pronounced dead at the scene. Toronto police investigators believe their deaths are a result of drug overdoses.

Police said four people have died of suspected drug overdoses in 53 Division over the last two weeks, which includes areas north of Bloor Street East and south of Lawrence Avenue East, between Spadina Road and the Don River.

“The majority of the overdoses are linked to fentanyl, but officers await toxicology reports on several others,” police said in the release.

Toronto’s street drug supply is being increasingly contaminated with a new category of “ultra-potent” opioids as overdose deaths soar.

Among the new breed of powerful synthetic opioids that began appearing in Toronto’s street drug supply is etonitazepyne, thought to be 10 to 20 times as strong as fentanyl.

It began showing up in drugchecking tests two weeks ago.

Toronto saw an 81 per cent jump in opioid-related deaths between 2019 and late 2020.

To address the opioid crisis and support those with an opioid use disorder, the Ontario Ministry of Health has implemented a comprehensive suite of policies and programs to address the crisis.

They will focus on appropriate prescribing and pain management, treatment for opioid use disorder, harm-reduction services and support, as well as surveillance and reporting.

On July 7, the province announced an investment of $32.7 million in annualized funding for targeted addictions services and supports.