"There was a long period of time that we weren't seeing [it], but it has started creeping up since May,"
"Back in 2019, 35 per cent of overdose deaths were due to carfentanil, but we had more overdose prevention and safe consumption sites operating than we do now, so it coming back brings a lot of fear that people are going to die needlessly."
"These places are operating without full funding, and without full staffing compliments so people aren't getting the treatment they're used to," Dodd said. "I hope there will be an about face on supervised consumption sites and overdose prevention efforts."
Carfentanil, a powerful opioid up to 100 times stronger than fentanyl, has surged in Toronto's drug supply, appearing in 14 per cent of 193 fentanyl samples tested in August by the Toronto Drug Checking Service. That level breaks records since testing began in 2019 and contrasts with one to two per cent levels seen since April 2023. The TDCS reported the substance began creeping up in May. Community workers express alarm, recalling that 35 per cent of overdose deaths in 2019 involved carfentanil and that there are now fewer supervised consumption sites. Ontario replaced nine closed sites with HART Hubs, which advocates say lack full funding and staffing, raising fears of needless deaths. The provincial government defends its implementation.
Read at www.cbc.ca
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