Toronto is experiencing a real-life zombie apocalypse, with open drug use of fentanyl, crack, and crystal meth creating dangerous no-go zones across the city, according to a report by Toronto Sun columnist Joe Warmington. The phenomenon, described as the "fentanyl fold" or "fenty fold," has left individuals swaying or slumped due to opioid intoxication, posing risks to both users and bystanders.
Open Drug Use at Union Station
On July 10, 2026, Warmington and photographer Ernest Doroszuk documented scenes at the Bay Street entrance to Union Station, near Scotiabank Arena. People were openly smoking drugs from pipes as families walked by, trying to avoid them. One homeless addict named Chris, who has been on the streets for a decade, said his drug of choice is meth and cited divorce, estrangement from children, injuries from a construction career, and hopelessness as reasons for his situation.
Chris stated, "It’s fentanyl, crack or crystal meth." He prefers the street over shelters, a choice shared by hundreds of others in similar circumstances. The area was described as an "orgy of narcotics use," with smoke from drug use filling the air.
Impact on Neighborhoods
The problem extends beyond downtown. In the Dawes Road and Danforth Avenue area, a homeless shelter has led to syringes and human waste being left in residents' potted plants. One anonymous resident said, "It’s not safe to go out at night and we can’t take their picture to show the police because they look right in our windows." Complaints to Mayor Olivia Chow, Councillor Brad Bradford, and police have not resolved the issue.
Bradford criticized the city's response, saying, "Under Mayor Chow, Toronto has reached a point where too many residents no longer feel safe in their own neighbourhoods. Open drug use, discarded needles and deteriorating public spaces have become an unacceptable reality in too many parts of our city. She has allowed these conditions to become the status quo."
Historical and Political Context
The crisis predates Mayor Chow, with roots in previous administrations including John Tory, Rob Ford, and David Miller. However, it has escalated to the point where Toronto is described as "hell on earth." Toronto Police officers responded to Union Station on July 10, temporarily moving the crowd along, but the problem persists.
Warmington noted that corporate security often has to call police for assistance, and that law enforcement lacks the resources to ticket or arrest all offenders. He called on Mayor Chow, Premier Doug Ford, and Prime Minister Mark Carney to take decisive action, stating, "What Toronto can expect is for the mayor, Premier Doug Ford and the Prime Minister Mark Carney to draw a line in the sand and say no more Toronto Zombie apocalypse."
Chow has not responded to requests for comment. Bradford added, "I believe we can be compassionate without accepting this as normal. We need to restore confidence that Toronto’s neighbourhoods are safe, clean and welcoming places to live, work and raise a family."
Call for Action
The situation has been exacerbated by the city's focus on hosting the FIFA World Cup, with tens of millions spent on the games while the drug crisis remains unaddressed. Bradford concluded, "I know we can do better."
