Photo credit: CBC
Toronto police are cautioning the public of an “unidentified narcotic” that is believed to have caused multiple overdoses over the past few days, according to a news release from the police.
CBC news reports that from Thursday to Saturday, police responded to several overdoses in the areas near Allan Gardens and Moss Park.
“Investigators are concerned there may be more people who have been sold or given these opioid drugs,” the TPS release said.
Police said people should call emergency services or go to the hospital or a clinic if they become seriously ill after consuming a narcotic.
Last month, Toronto Drug Checking Service warned that medetomidine, a powerful tranquilizer intended for veterinary use, was being found in fentanyl samples.
In January, Toronto paramedics received 350 calls for non-fatal suspected overdoses and 12 reporting fatal overdoses, according to the city’s overdose data dashboard.
That’s up to 47 percent from the 238 non-fatal overdose calls received in January, according to the dashboard. The city’s site also reports a total of 126 fatal overdoses in 2025. On average, that’s roughly ten overdose deaths a month.
