The City of Toronto has proclaimed August 31 as Overdose Awareness Day. This day raises awareness about overdose and helps to reduce the stigma of these preventable drug-related deaths. It is also an opportunity to stimulate discussion about evidence-based overdose prevention and drug policy.
The opioid poisoning crisis remains a serious public health issue in Toronto. Preliminary data show that in 2018 there were 1,363 opioid overdose deaths in Ontario, 294 of them in Toronto. These numbers are expected to increase as coroners complete investigations. The seriousness of this issue is underscored by a recent Statistics Canada report, which found that life expectancy in Canada has stopped increasing for the first time in four decades as young men and women die at higher rates, mostly attributed to opioid-related overdoses.
Since July 2018, TPH has distributed more than 20,000 doses of naloxone to clients and approximately 35,000 doses across 74 agencies providing local harm reductions services. Toronto Public Health has trained more than 800 people in overdose recognition and response, and increased street outreach services in the downtown east in response to the overwhelming demand. Since opening in August 2017, there have been more than 55,000 visits to The Works supervised injection service, and staff responded to 951 overdoses.
Overdose Awareness Day acknowledges the grief and loss felt by families, friends and colleagues of loved ones who have died or suffered permanent injury due to the opioid poisoning crisis. More information is available at https://www.overdoseday.com/ and you can read Mayor John Tory’s proclamation at https://www.toronto.ca/city-government/awards-tributes/tributes/proclamations-congratulatory-scrolls-and-letters-of-greeting/proclamations/proclamations-2019/.
At the June 2019 Board of Health meeting, the Medical Officer of Health reported on actions taken over the past year to implement the Toronto Overdose Action Plan and presented new recommendations to update the Action Plan identified through a recent community consultation. The Toronto Overdose Action Plan and other drug policy documents are available at https://www.toronto.ca/community-people/health-wellness-care/health-programs-advice/alcohol-and-other-drugs/toronto-drug-strategy-2/.
Quotes:
“The overdose crisis continues to have a devastating impact on the people of our city. We know that by providing the right supports and resources, the collective work of Toronto Public Health and our community partners can help prevent and respond to overdoses occurring in our city. I commend the leadership shown by the Medical Officer of Health, the Board of Health, City Council and community service providers in responding to this crisis. As mayor, I recognize their efforts, and will continue to urge the provincial and federal governments to increase their support to address this critical public health issue that continues to affect families, friends and communities across our city.”
– Mayor John Tory
“This remains the defining health crisis of our generation. Recent Statistics Canada data indicates that life expectancy in Canada has stopped increasing for the first time in four decades as young men and women die at higher rates, mostly attributed to opioid-related overdoses. Too many people in our community continue to die from these preventable deaths and while many actions have been taken, much more is needed, and in particular, strategies to help move people out of the toxic illicit drug market.”
– Dr. Eileen de Villa, Toronto’s Medical Officer of Health
“Earlier this year, Toronto Public Health conducted a community consultation to update the Toronto Overdose Action Plan. Participants stressed the ongoing nature of the opioid poisoning crisis and the need for urgent action. The Board of Health and City Council adopted several recommendations which are directed at all levels of government in the areas of prevention, harm reduction and treatment. We hope our government partners will work with us to mitigate this crisis.”
– Councillor Joe Cressy (Ward 10 Spadina-Fort York), Chair of Toronto’s Board of Health
Toronto is Canada’s largest city, the fourth largest in North America, and home to a diverse population of more than 2.9 million people. It is a global centre for business, finance, arts and culture and is consistently ranked one of the world’s most livable cities. For information on non-emergency City services and programs, Toronto residents, businesses and visitors can visit http://www.toronto.ca, call 311, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, or follow us on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/cityoftoronto, on Instagram at http://www.instagram.com/cityofto or on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/cityofto.
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