Group plans to open unsanctioned overdose prevention site in Toronto

TORONTO — An advocacy group says it plans to open an unsanctioned overdose prevention site in an area of Toronto that has recently been plagued by overdose deaths.

The Toronto Overdose Prevention Society says the decision to operate out of tents in a park in the Parkdale neighbourhood follows the provincial government’s decision to put the opening of a sanctioned site in the area on hold.

Health Minister Christine Elliott announced last week that sites set to open in Thunder Bay, St. Catharines, and Toronto were being paused while the government conducts a review to determine if such facilities will continue to operate in the province.

The Toronto prevention site was scheduled to open Aug. 13 in Parkdale, where police have said seven fatal overdoses occurred during a recent 12-day period.

Investigators said the deaths were likely linked to the opioids fentanyl and carfentanil — synthetic painkillers far more potent than heroin.

A spokesperson for Elliott says the ministry is requiring any planned overdose prevention sites that are not yet open to delay their operations while the latest data and evidence is reviewed.

The Toronto Overdose Prevention Society said it would open the unsanctioned prevention site on Monday.

A spokesperson for Toronto’s mayor said John Tory supports supervised injection sites and overdose prevention sites, but not in public parks.

“There should be no need for a site such as this in a park,” Don Peat said in an email.