Paramedics answer more than 70 non-fatal overdoses in two days

LIVING ON THE EDGE, OR DYING, WHATEVER –

July 2, 2021 – On average, emergency responders receive roughly 14 calls per day.

Despite the high number of drug-related calls, TPH said paramedics didn’t get any for fatal overdoses.

These calls came from across the city, TPH said in a July 2 drug alert.

While the city’s public health agency said they don’t know exactly what caused the overdoses, they did say that there “appears to be a range of substances from the unregulated drug supply involved.”

“While specific details are not yet known, Toronto’s drug checking service has reported finding unexpected, highly potent drugs in samples checked from the unregulated drug supply in recent months, including “ultra potent” opioids (such as carfentanil, etonitazene, and isotonitazene), and a number of benzodiazepine-related drugs (including etizolam),” public health said.

“We provide this data with respect and a deep appreciation for what they mean, and how they refer to our loved ones, friends, families and colleagues. The tragic and substantial losses that people have faced from the ongoing drug poisoning crisis, and the grief experienced, are immeasurable.”