More than 500 people died from opioid poisoning in Toronto in 2023, with public health officials pointing to the unregulated drug supply as the main cause of this “humanitarian tragedy.”
The latest figures released Wednesday by Toronto Public Health (TPH) show the opioid crisis has worsened since the pandemic, with 523 opioid addiction-related deaths in 2023, a 74 per cent increase from the 301 reported in 2019. Of the 427 deaths deemed accidental, the data shows, almost half were people between the ages of 25 and 44, and more than half lived in private residences.
“The continued loss of lives due to this ongoing drug addiction epidemic is devastating and has a deep and painful impact on many in our community,” said Dr. Eileen de Villa, Toronto's medical officer of health.
“This is not just a public health issue. It is a human tragedy that must be met with empathy, care and compassion.”
TPH officials say overdoses and deaths from drug toxicity are preventable, and they continue to call for expanded access to a range of evidence-based health services, including supervised intake services, where people can use their own drugs in the presence of a trained health professional.
“The growing risk of an unregulated toxic drug supply, combined with a housing and affordability crisis, poses a serious threat to our community's health and well-being. Treatment is essential. We need the support and participation of all three levels of government to significantly reduce the devastating impacts of the drug toxicity epidemic in Toronto and across Ontario,” said Mayor Olivia Chou.
Recently, the federal government rejected Toronto's request to decriminalize possession of illegal drugs. Minister of Mental Health and Addictions Yaara Sachs said Toronto Public Health's request did not adequately protect public health and maintain public safety, and also cited a lack of support from the Ford government, which was vehemently opposed to the idea.
Premier Doug Ford went a step further in a letter to premiers calling for a review of Health Canada-approved sites across the country, and called for provinces to have a say in which “safe supply” sites are approved by Health Canada.
The Ford government has also clashed with Ontario's medical officer of health, Dr. Ciarán Moore, who in his annual report earlier this year called on the province to decriminalize simple possession of uncontrolled drugs for personal use.
“I think there are better ways to do this than legalise drugs, particularly opioids,” Health Minister Sylvia Jones said.
Toronto Public Health defended the city's 10 supervised consumption sites, saying they “save lives, connect people to social services and provide a reliable pathway to treatment.” The agency said it is open to seeking “collaborative solutions” with other government agencies on the public health issue.
“Increased funding and increased access to a range of treatment options, including the opening of a 24-hour stabilization crisis centre, are essential to addressing the drug addiction epidemic. A coordinated city, provincial and federal effort is essential to address the crisis that is impacting not only Toronto but across Canada,” said Chris Moyes, chair of the Toronto Board of Health.
