Toronto Public Health is reporting a sharp increase in overdose deaths in the city over the last decade.
In a recent report, the agency says overdose deaths rose by 41 per cent between 2004 and 2013.
In 2013, there were 206 overdose deaths in Toronto, as opposed to 146 in 2004.
Susan Shepherd, of Toronto Drug Strategy, said it is the “the highest number that we’ve had.”
Experts say the rise use of fentanyl is partly responsible for the increase in overdoses. The powerful painkiller was involved in more than 1,000 drug-poisoning deaths in Canada between 2009 and 2014. There were 12 fentanyl deaths in Toronto in 2013 alone.
The city has been trying to curb the number of overdose deaths through initiatives including programs where drug users are trained to administer an opiate antidote called Naloxone.
More than 2,000 Naloxone kits -- which include the drug and necessary equipment -- have been distributed to date, Shepherd said.
“We know (Naloxone kits) have reversed over 300 overdoses,” she said.
Toronto Public Health’s report includes a recommendation that the Ontario Ministry of Health draw up a comprehensive drug overdose prevention strategy for all drugs.
With a report from CTV Toronto's Pauline Chan
