Toronto wants you to (anonymously) report an overdose or bad reaction to drugs

Toronto residents can report an overdose or reaction to bad drugs anonymously to the city.

A Toronto Public Health website allows anyone to report the drugs anonymously, and the information is then sent out to community members.

“If you or someone you know had a bad reaction to street drugs, or an overdose, you can make an anonymous report about it here. A summary of the info you provide will go out to community members,” reads its website.

While users of the website can make one report at a time, it allows them to share any experience such as “an overdose caused by opioids like fentanyl, heroin etc., or unexpected or bad reaction to drugs.”

“You don’t have to answer all the questions, but the more detail you give, the more helpful it is for others,” it states.

The website was referred to by Toronto Public Health this week following reports of “bad drugs” in the city.

The Toronto Overdose Prevention Society (OPS) initially said the drugs were first reported on January 11.

See also

• Bad fentanyl and heroin sold in Toronto is causing reactions
• Toronto Police issue public safety alert following spike in overdose deaths
• Toronto police to be prohibited from smoking pot

“A dozen reports so far of bad experiences after taking what was sold as fentanyl in Downtown Toronto and Parkdale,” stated Toronto OPS, who run the Moss Park Overdose Prevention Site.

“Reports of vivid hallucinations, rapid heart rate, time distortion, inability to recognize objects, people, and self. Experiences are described as horrifying and traumatizing.”

Toronto Public Health said it let its community partners know about the drugs as soon as they became aware of it.

“In the meantime, we continue to monitor data and community reports on this area and share information with the community as soon as we are notified. We encourage anyone who becomes aware of an unexpected reaction or overdose, to inform a harm reduction worker about it,” said Toronto Public Health spokesperson Dr. Rita Shahin, associate medical officer of health.

Shahin also said that they are not aware of any deaths related to the issue.

And, they recommend any tips regarding the recent bad drugs in Toronto to be made anonymously online at ReportBadDrugsTO.ca.