Recent data shows a significant decline in non-fatal suspected overdoses that paramedics respond to in Toronto, dropping from 357 in September to 163 in February. However, community worker Diana Chan McNally indicates that the overall death toll remains a severe concern, having increased markedly from 137 opioid-related deaths in 2015 to 528 in 2023. This data coincides with a controversial shift in drug policy, where supervised consumption sites are being replaced by HART Hubs, raising fears among health professionals about potential increases in overdose deaths due to a loss of life-saving services.
The decrease in non-fatal overdoses is welcome, but it's too early to celebrate. The death toll remains extremely high, reflecting a crisis from ten years ago.
With the transformation of supervised drug consumption sites, there's palpable concern among health-care workers that overdose rates might steeply rise due to reduced services.
I think you're going to see that there will be a steep uprise, not just a moderate one, as we've eliminated a life-saving service.
To date, across our supervised consumption sites, there has never been a fatal overdose, highlighting the critical role these services play in saving lives.
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