Toronto’s health officials warn of rising overdose calls as five consumption sites close, urging for expanded access to services.
Toronto: So, there’s some serious news coming out of Toronto. After the closure of five supervised drug consumption sites, health officials are expecting a spike in emergency calls related to overdoses. The acting medical officer of health, Dr. Na-Koshie Lamptey, shared this in a report, and it’s pretty concerning.
Dr. Lamptey is urging the city’s health board to push the province to keep these sites open or at least expand access to them. She pointed out that these facilities are crucial for saving lives and connecting people to the help they need.
With the new laws shutting down these sites, there’s a real fear that more people will end up using drugs alone, which is super risky. The province is shifting its focus to a different model for handling addiction, which includes new treatment hubs, but many worry this won’t be enough.
Since 2015, the opioid crisis has been a huge issue in Ontario, and it only got worse during the pandemic. In 2023 alone, over 2,600 people died from opioid overdoses, with a significant number of those deaths happening in Toronto.
Paramedics are already feeling the pressure, with a big increase in calls related to drug overdoses. They’re preparing for even more calls once the consumption sites close at the end of March. It’s a tough situation, and everyone is hoping for the best while bracing for what’s to come.
