Montreal public health is issuing a stern warning about a sharp increase in drug overdoses in recent weeks, directly linked to the presence of fentanyl mixtures.
Since late March, health officials have recorded a notable surge in non-fatal overdoses. Frontline organizations confirm this trend. The Old Brewery Mission reported approximately five overdoses per week. While increases among opioid users are not uncommon, the current situation is marked by the growing prevalence of carfentanil, a substance approximately 100 times more potent than fentanyl.
Naloxone interventions remain effective, but officials express grave concern. Urgences Santé also noted a rise, with crews administering naloxone in nearly 70 cases in less than two weeks, starting April 10th.
Paramedics administered naloxone about 75 times monthly in 2025, according to Montreal public health data. Urgences Santé cautions that logged numbers may be incomplete if naloxone is administered by others, and substance identification is challenging. Mentions of carfentanil, rainbow fentanyl, and other colored variants have emerged.
Montreal public health believes this uptick signifies a major shift in the street drug market, with carfentanil previously detected only sporadically. This trend is particularly concerning for outreach workers assisting unhoused individuals, who are often vulnerable to drug dealers. Resilience Montreal noted a continuous, gradual increase in overdoses requiring intervention over the past year.
Intervention workers fear more fatalities, especially among those using drugs alone or in secluded areas, where immediate assistance is less likely. They are urging law enforcement to address the root causes of the escalating crisis.