World Cup visitors warned about Toronto's toxic illicit drug supply

Health officials in Toronto are warning World Cup visitors about the city's extremely toxic and unpredictable illicit drug supply, which differs markedly from what visitors may encounter in their home countries.

Toronto Public Health says the unregulated drug supply could contain fentanyl or other toxic contaminants in substances including opioids, cocaine, MDMA, ketamine, and counterfeit pills. Even small amounts can cause overdose or death.

People using substances are urged to start with a low dose, pace use slowly, use a drug-checking service, carry naloxone, and call 911 if someone overdoses. Under Canada's Good Samaritan Drug Overdose Act, people seeking help for themselves or someone who has overdosed will not be charged with possessing or using drugs, nor will anyone else at the scene.

Vancouver is issuing similar warnings ahead of its World Cup matches. The BC Centre for Disease Control labelled substance-use harms as "moderate risk" but called the drug supply "very toxic and unpredictable." Vancouver's illicit drug emergency has claimed more than 16,000 lives since 2016.

Health authorities in both cities are prioritizing harm reduction services and monitoring substance use trends during the tournament.