Toronto police begin deploying naloxone to battle opioid overdoses

Toronto police say they have started to phasein the deployment of naloxone by uniformed officers in the city's downtown core the potentially life-saving medication that cantemporarilyblock the effects ofopioids and prevent overdose deaths.

"A phased rollout assists in alleviating public and officer concerns regarding opioid safety issues, particularly in neighbourhoods surrounding supervised consumption sites," Toronto Police ServiceInspector Paul MacIntyresaid in a news release.

"It's important we provide our members with this lifesaving drug until medical assistance is available."

The announcement comes in the midst of what some are calling an epidemic of opioidoverdoses on the streets of the city. A study released in April suggests opioid-related deathstripled in Ontario between 2001 and 2015.

"Uniformed members, in this first phase of deployment, will be able to help those who find themselves in an overdose situation, by administering naloxone, then helping them get the follow-up medical attention they will need once consciousness is regained,"MacIntyresaid.

The police's deployment of naloxonewill target the downtown core, where they say overdose calls are the highest.