Emergency services in London, Ontario, responded to nearly 40 overdose calls within a 24-hour period this week, prompting police to issue a public alert about toxic drugs allegedly being distributed for free downtown, while city council simultaneously addresses gaps in its short-term accommodation bylaw.
Toxic Drugs Trigger Overdose Surge
London police announced Thursday that they received 39 overdose-related calls between Wednesday morning and Thursday morning. This followed a public alert issued Wednesday about a person reportedly driving around the city's core and handing out free, toxic substances. Several individuals required immediate medical attention.
Police said the toxic supply of illegal drugs likely continues to circulate in the community. Witness reports suggest a driver was approaching people and distributing a free substance, which some subsequently consumed, leading to medical distress. Reports indicate the overdoses are linked to yellow-coloured fentanyl pills.
The sudden surge in overdoses prompted London Health Sciences (LHSC), which operates the city's major hospitals, to activate a Code Orange. This emergency protocol shifts staff from their regular duties to manage an increased influx of patients.
While LHSC couldn't release specific numbers, they confirmed patients were admitted for non-fatal drug overdoses.
Lily Bialas, interim director of harm reduction at Regional HIV/AIDS Connection, expressed deep concern. "It's really alarming," Bialas stated.
"We're obviously concerned for community members and for the safety of people who are using substances in the community." Regional HIV/AIDS Connection operates Carepoint Consumption and Treatment Services, London's only supervised consumption site. Carepoint quickly issued a drug advisory to its community partners once reports were confirmed.
Chris Moss, executive director of London Cares, an agency supporting the city's unhoused population, described the rapid spread of information. Moss was alerted when staff ran through the London Cares offices, with reports of people collapsing nearby. Staff were busy administering CPR. Moss emphasized the coordinated response among police and support agencies when toxic drugs enter the street supply.
Authorities and harm reduction experts are urging extreme caution. People who use drugs should avoid using alone, ensure naloxone is readily available, and immediately call 9-1-1 if an overdose is suspected. Carepoint offers services for drug testing using a Scatr machine, along with providing test strips, enabling individuals to check their substances for dangerous contaminants.
The London Police Service Criminal Investigation Division is actively investigating the distribution of these toxic drugs. Police are asking anyone with information or video footage related to the incident to contact them at (519) 661-5670 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).
Revisiting Short-Term Rental Regulations
Meanwhile, the City of London is looking to strengthen its short-term accommodation (STA) bylaw, aiming to close loopholes that have emerged since its implementation in 2022. City councillors are trying to strike a crucial balance, supporting legitimate operators while curbing problematic rentals.
The original bylaw intended to support homeowners who rent out extra space in their primary residence, like Jordan Klassen, an Airbnb operator in Old South. Klassen lives on his property with his family and rents out a separate unit.
He's followed the city's licensing rules since they began, often hosting guests visiting family in the neighbourhood. Yet, Klassen cautioned city staff and council to proceed carefully with new amendments, fearing "unintended consequences" that could hinder compliant operators like himself.
A recent city staff report, presented to the council's Community and Protective Services Committee, highlighted several "gaps" in the current regulations. A big issue is property owners who don't live on the premises they rent out, contrary to the bylaw's intent. Some have even found ways to operate multiple STAs across different properties, creating what staff call "Airbnb empires" run by absentee owners, often with little regard for their impact on London neighbourhoods.
Another problem identified is the bylaw's limitation on the number of bedrooms (five) but not the number of occupants. This loophole has led to some properties being used as "party houses," generating numerous complaints and posing a "recurring enforcement challenge." For example, a house in Masonville became notorious after a sorority event in 2024, ultimately leading to the revocation of its STA licence after a tribunal last spring.
Staff also noted that current fines for operating an unlicensed STA, which start at $500 for a first offence, are insufficient deterrents. Many non-compliant providers simply view these penalties as a "cost of doing business" rather than an incentive to comply. To address this, the staff report proposes significantly increased penalties: $1,500 for individual providers and a substantial $10,000 for companies that list properties without a valid STA licence.
In 2025, London issued 333 STA licences as the city continues its efforts to regulate how things are changing in short-term rentals.
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The proposed amendments aim to create a more effective enforcement framework, ensuring STAs operate responsibly within London's communities.
This article was created with AI assistance.
