3 suspected opioid overdose deaths reported in Toronto

Toronto Public Health (TPH) has issued a drug alert following three suspected opioid overdose deaths earlier this week.

TPH says the reported fatalities are higher than the average number of opioid overdose-related deaths, which has been zero or one since 2023.

The public health agency disclosed that the deaths occurred on Jan. 7 at private residences outside of the downtown core.

TPH does not have any information about the specific drugs connected to the overdose deaths.

It noted that Toronto’s Drug Checking Service detected on Dec. 16 a new benzodiazepine-related drug called ethylflualprazolam.

According to the service, using high-potency opioids with benzodiazepine-related drugs increases the risk of dangerous suppression of vitals.