Public Safety Alert, Police investigating suspected drug overdoses in downtown core, Possibly linked to five deaths

Public Safety Alert,
Police investigating suspected drug overdoses in downtown core,
Possibly linked to five deaths

Broadcast time: 16:30 Date: Friday, November 20, 2020 Unit: 51 Division Phone: 416-808-5100 Case #: 2020-2193225

The Toronto Police would like to notify the public about several suspected drug overdoses in the downtown area.

On Thursday, November 19, 2020, at 10:49 a.m., officers along with Toronto Fire and medics responded to a report that a person had fallen ill in the Bleeker Street and St James Avenue area.

It is reported:
- an 18-year-old man, of Toronto, had collapsed from a suspected drug overdose
- emergency services provided first aid but he was later pronounced dead

It is believed that:
- in the past week there have been four other suspected overdoses where people have died
- the deaths are linked to Fentanyl being distributed in the area of Bleeker Street and St James Avenue

The Toronto Police Service also wants to remind people that if they are taking drugs, including Fentanyl, to use extreme caution and do not take them alone.

If anyone suffers serious physical illness after consuming a narcotic, they should attend a hospital emergency room or walk-in clinic immediately for treatment. For a referral to a substance abuse treatment facility, the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health can be reached at 1-800-463-2338.

For more information please visit Toronto Public Health website.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 416-808-5100, Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS (8477), online at www.222tips.com, online on our Facebook Leave a Tip page, or text TOR and your message to CRIMES (274637). Download the free Crime Stoppers Mobile App on iTunes or Google Play.

For more news, visit TPSnews.ca.

Constable Caroline de Kloet, Corporate Communications, for Detective Constable Joel Evans, 51 Division