City of Toronto public information sessions on iPHARE initiatives to reduce overdose deaths

The Integrated Prevention and Harm Reduction (iPHARE) initiative, is a multi-pronged effort by the City of Toronto and community agencies to address opioid-related deaths in the city's shelter system. The initiative comes in response to the escalating opioid poisoning crisis in Toronto.

iPHARE has three key components:

• $2.76 million for Parkdale Queen West Community Health Centre to provide a range of harm reduction supports to hotels set up to create physical distancing in the shelter system and other shelter programs across Toronto
• $1.47 million to fund LOFT Community Services and Toronto North Support Services for enhanced intensive mental health case management supports
• $3.38 million to expand the range of harm reduction services and embed Urgent Public Health Needs Sites into selected shelters across the city, allowing residents at the location to consume drugs under trained supervision to reduce the risk of overdose fatalities. These sites will not be open to the public.

Services will be rolled-out starting in December 2020.

iPHARE will save lives, reduce public drug use and reduce drug paraphernalia in parks and public spaces. It will also assist first responders, harm reduction workers and shelter workers who are faced every day with the difficult job of reversing overdoses or coping with overdose fatalities.

Learn more by joining the City of Toronto's information sessions taking place on:

• January 12, 2021 at 7pm ET
• January 18, 2021 at 7pm ET
• January 19, 2021 at 7pm ET - 

  Click the link to join: https://toronto.webex.com/toronto/onstage/g.php?MTID=e9ccbac5488f03490b1d943071b3da968

  On the sign in page, add your name and email address in the available fields. Click “consent” and then click “join now”.

  • If you require an accessibility-related accommodation, adaptive technologies on your phone often work best.
  • Panelists will describe content on the slides during the presentation.

  Join the audio conference only

  To receive a call back, provide your phone number when you join the event, or call the number below and enter the access code:

  • Canada Toll: +1-416-915-6530
  • Access code: 177 474 2278

For more information, visit the City of Toronto iPHARE website.