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City of Toronto Media Relations has issued the following:
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News Release

August 31, 2024

Mayor Olivia Chow proclaims Overdose Awareness Day in Toronto

Today, Mayor Olivia Chow proclaimed Saturday, August 31 as Overdose Awareness Day in Toronto in recognition of International Overdose Awareness Day (IOAD). This day marks the world’s largest annual campaign to end drug overdoses, remember those who have passed away as a result of an overdose, dispel stigma and acknowledge the grief of family and friends.

The theme for IOAD 2024 is “Together We Can,” highlighting the power of community when standing together. Members of the public are encouraged to wear purple, fill out postcards in honour of loved ones and first responders at events across the city, sign up for online naloxone training to help prevent overdose deaths and learn more about overdose prevention.

The CN Tower and the Toronto Sign in Nathan Phillips Square will be lit purple tonight. The Mayor’s Overdose Awareness Day proclamation can be found on the City’s Proclamations website: https://www.toronto.ca/city-government/awards-tributes/tributes/proclamations-congratulatory-scrolls-and-letters-of-greeting/proclamations/proclamations-2024.

Toronto continues to face a devastating and constantly evolving drug toxicity epidemic. Preliminary data for 2023 from the Office of the Chief Coroner for Ontario shows there were 524 confirmed and probable opioid toxicity deaths in Toronto, representing a 74 per cent increase from 301 deaths in 2019. TPH provides these data and ongoing updates on the drug toxicity epidemic through the Toronto Overdose Information System: https://www.toronto.ca/toronto-overdose-information-system.

Addressing the public health crisis

Toronto Public Health (TPH) continues to work with community health providers, housing providers, first responders and people with lived experience to improve community health and well-being for everyone living in Toronto.

In the past year, the City of Toronto and community partners have undertaken several actions to address the crisis including:
• In November 2023, the City released Our Health, Our City: A Mental Health, Substance Use, Harm Reduction and Treatment Strategy for Toronto, which aims to reduce drug toxicity deaths and advance community safety and wellbeing for everyone. More information about the strategy is available on the City’s Our Health, Our City webpage: https://www.toronto.ca/ourhealthourcity.
• In June, TPH and Toronto Police Service (TPS) launched the Downtown Community Outreach Response and Engagement (CORE) Team, a one-year pilot led by a specialized team of public health nurses designed to address the complex health, mental health, substance use and housing needs of vulnerable individuals in the Yonge and Dundas neighbourhood. TPS officers will support these efforts to ensure safety for the team, members of the public and those receiving support.
• In July, TPH released its Strategic Plan 2024 to 2028 which prioritizes promoting conditions to support positive mental health and reduce the harms of substance use through strengthening public health services that are trauma-informed and reduce stigma and delivering public health interventions that promote mental health. More information about the Strategic Plan is available on the City’s website: https://www.toronto.ca/tphstrategicplan.

TPH has consistently advocated for expanded access to a comprehensive range of evidence-based health services including prevention, treatment and harm reduction interventions. TPH remains committed and ready to pursue collaborative approaches to address this critical and urgent health issue.

Shelter system and the drug toxicity crisis

Toronto has also experienced heightened incidents of non-fatal and fatal opioid overdoses within the shelter system. This is mainly due to the increasing toxicity of the unregulated drug supply.

The City’s Integrated Prevention and Harm Reduction Initiative program (iPHARE) is a multi-pronged effort to address opioid-related deaths in Toronto’s shelter system. iPHARE has provided funding to TPH and community agencies to support an enhanced response in priority shelters which are identified based on data on rates of non-fatal overdoses at these sites. Learn more by visiting the City’s iPhare program webpage: https://www.toronto.ca/community-people/health-wellness-care/health-programs-advice/overdose-prevention-and-response/iphare-program/.

Data shows that between 2022 and 2023, there was an 11 per cent decrease in the number of non-fatal overdoses in shelters, decreasing steadily since its peak in 2021. Non-fatal outcomes are often the result of the quick action and response of shelter staff or other residents intervening to save lives by administering naloxone and oxygen and calling for emergency services. More information on the City’s work to reduce overdoses in homelessness service settings is available on the City’s webpage: https://www.toronto.ca/city-government/data-research-maps/research-reports/housing-and-homelessness-research-and-reports/overdoses-in-homelessness-services-settings/.

Quotes:

“By recognizing Overdose Awareness Day, we reaffirm our commitment to addressing the drug toxicity crisis in Toronto. Today is an opportunity to reflect on how we can better prevent overdoses and overdose deaths. Together, let us remember the people who have lost their lives due to overdose and the people in our community who continue their vital work to prevent further overdose in our city.”
– Mayor Olivia Chow

“Toronto is in the midst of a drug toxicity epidemic. We must address this as a health care issue, advocating for a full continuum of services and supports, to prevent overdoses and overdose deaths caused by the toxic unregulated drug supply.”
– Councillor Chris Moise (Toronto Centre), Chair of the Board of Health

“The continued loss of life from overdose of people who shaped the lives around them and their communities is devastating. The drug toxicity epidemic has had a traumatic effect on families, friends, and colleagues as they grieve these losses. Preventing further loss requires collective caring action and a commitment to addressing this issue together.”
– Dr. Eileen de Villa, Medical Officer of Health

Toronto is home to more than three million people whose diversity and experiences make this great city Canada’s leading economic engine and one of the world’s most diverse and livable cities. As the fourth largest city in North America, Toronto is a global leader in technology, finance, film, music, culture, innovation and climate action, and consistently places at the top of international rankings due to investments championed by its government, residents and businesses. For more information visit www.toronto.ca or follow us on X at x.com/cityoftoronto, on Instagram at www.instagram.com/cityofto or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/cityofto.

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Media contacts:
Toronto Public Health Media Relations TPHmedia@toronto.ca
City of Toronto Media Relations, media@toronto.ca

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