Substance Overdose Prevention and Education Network (SOPEN) is fundraising to provide fentanyl test strips ($2.68 each) to individuals at high risk of drug poisoning/overdose. This includes both regular and occasional drug users, as well as vulnerable communities, such as college and university students, construction workers, and unhoused people.

Who We Are

SOPEN is a volunteer-led, community-based organization dedicated to mutual aid and harm reduction education in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area (GTHA). We focus on sharing vital knowledge about the toxic drug crisis and support efforts to reduce harm in a compassionate, non-judgmental way.

The Urgent Need

The recent closures of more than half of the Supervised Consumption Services (SCS) across the province has left many individuals without access to life-saving services. They are healthcare facilities where people who use drugs can safely use substances under supervision, access life-saving overdose interventions, receive medical care, and get connected to additional health and social services.

With these sites closing, this means more overdose deaths, and increased demands on paramedics and emergency medical departments. As expected, from March 31 to April 6 2025, Hamilton saw an increase in EMS calls related to opioid and drug poisonings, exceeding the expected 4-week average. There was also a spike in EMS responses on April 1 to April 3 2025, surpassing the daily thresholds. The week of April 7 to 14 2025, there was an increase in overdose/drug poisoning-related emergency department visits in Hamilton, exceeding the expected 4-week average.

The Toxic Drug Crisis

Ontario is in an ongoing overdose and toxic drug emergency: one person dies every 2.5 hours of preventable overdose from the increasingly toxic, volatile and contaminated drug supply. In the last three years alone, 8,036 people in Ontario have died from accidental drug poisoning from the unregulated supply composed primarily of fentanyl and its analogues. People who use drugs don't intend to die. Many are unaware that their substances are contaminated with fentanyl, a powerful opioid that can be fatal even in tiny amounts. A person using cocaine at a party, for example, may not expect fentanyl to be mixed in. This is a major reason why toxic drug deaths are on the rise.

How Fentanyl Test Strips Can Help

Fentanyl test strips are a simple, low-cost solution to reduce drug poisonings and drug poisoning-related deaths. These strips can detect the presence of fentanyl in injectable drugs, powders, and pills. Having the ability to test drugs before using them gives individuals a chance to make an informed decision about their safety. Whether it's a teenager trying drugs for the first time, someone buying from a new source, or weekend party-goers, knowing whether fentanyl is present could save a life.

Donate Now to Save Lives

For just $2.68, you can provide one life-saving fentanyl test strip. Every dollar donated goes directly toward purchasing and distributing these strips in communities hit hardest by the closures of SCS. By funding fentanyl testing strips, we can help save lives and protect those who need it most.

For more information, you can visit our supplier at DanceSafe at https://dancesafe.org/

How Your Donation Makes a Difference

Thank you for your generosity and commitment to harm reduction!

Substance Overdose Prevention and Education Network (SOPEN)

www.sopen.org

Follow us on Instagram: @sopenhamilton