Urgent Support for Opioid/Fentanyl Crisis in Eglinton Avenue West Area

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The decision

2021-12-06 · Board of Health · referred

As filed

The Board of Health: 1. Referred the Item to the Medical Officer of Health, with a request that they consult with relevant City of Toronto divisions and agencies, people with lived experience of substance use and residents and prepare an action plan to tackle the drug poisoning crisis across the City of Toronto and in the Eglinton Avenue West area; such action plan to consider the following as urgent priorities: a. a comprehensive and coordinated public health strategy that includes action from all three levels of government in order to provide enhanced prevention, harm reduction and medical support and interventions to address the drug poisoning crisis; b.

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providing data to support advocacy to the Ontario Ministry of Health and Ontario Health for the deployment of a Community Safety Team, based on the model currently being used at the temporary hotel shelters, in the Eglinton Avenue West area and other areas where the drug poisoning crisis appears to be impacting individuals and the local community; c. providing data to support advocacy to the Ontario Ministry of Health and Ontario Health for the establishment of additional treatment services in the City of Toronto, such as a permanent, storefront health clinic in the Eglinton Avenue West area, to provide urgently needed medical intervention and supports to people with substance use disorders; and d. expanded outreach to the Federal and Provincial Governments to secure additional resources for programs in support of the City of Toronto's efforts to address the drug poisoning crisis.

On the agenda

As the city filed it

City Council on November 9, 10 and 12, 2021, referred Motion MM37.4 to the Board of Health. Summary from Motion MM37.4 by Councillor Mike Colle, seconded by Councillor Josh Matlow: There is a growing opioid/fentanyl substance abuse crisis in communities within the Eglinton Avenue West area. This crisis is having devastating impacts on victims of opioid/fentanyl abuse and a coordinated, comprehensive, multi-partner public health response is required to help victims of substance abuse, and address the impact that this crisis is also having on the local residential and retail areas along Eglinton Avenue West.

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There is a real and immediate need for medical intervention and support to help victims of opioid abuse. Efforts to address this crisis have been ongoing by Toronto Public Health, community organizations, local residents, along with the local police at 13 Division, but these efforts need to be reinforced by additional agencies and resources in a comprehensive and coordinated way.

Staff recommended

Councillor Mike Colle, seconded by Councillor Josh Matlow, recommends that: 1. City Council request the General Manager, Social Development, Finance and Administration to work with the General Manager, Shelter, Support and Housing Administration, Toronto Public Health, local police at 13 Division, local Business Improvement Areas, local residents, people living with addiction issues, and any other City Divisions and Agencies to prepare an action plan to tackle this growing opioid/fentanyl crisis in the Eglinton Avenue West area; such action plan to consider the following as urgent priorities: a.

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a coordinated public health action plan focused on providing medical support and interventions for the victims of the opioid/fentanyl crisis; b. the deployment of a Community Safety Team (based on the model currently being used at the temporary hotel shelters) in the Eglinton Avenue West area where this opioid/ fentanyl abuse crisis appears to be impacting individuals and the local community; c. the establishment of a permanent, storefront health clinic in the Eglinton Avenue West area to provide urgently needed medical intervention and supports to victims of substance abuse; and d. expanded outreach to the Provincial and Federal Governments to explore programs and secure additional resources in support of the City's efforts to deal with the public health crisis caused by the opioid/fentanyl crisis.

On the record

The item as the City filed it

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