The Toronto Board of Health voted unanimously on Monday to declare anti-Black racism a public health crisis. The move calls for a "reprioritizing" of city resources to address anti-Black racism during COVID-19 recovery planning and in the city's next annual budget. It also comes with a commitment to support policies and programs that reduce inequality, with an emphasis on Black Torontonians. "These dual public health crises are having significant impacts on people who use drugs in our community as well as their families, friends and loved ones," the report states. In April, Toronto paramedics responded to 25 suspected opioid overdose deaths, the city's highest figure since September 2017.

Source: CBC News June 08, 2020 19:32 UTC