Police and first responders scrambled Wednesday afternoon after a wave of toxic overdoses in the city’s downtown core.
Police said a man was seen driving through downtown handing out yellow pills to the victims free of any charge, several of which went on to require medical attention after taking the substance and overdosing.
The sign at London police headquarters Nov. 27, 2025. (Hayden King/XFM News)
Constable Matt Dawson with the London Police Service said investigators are still working to identify the substance, but a advisory from the Regional HIV/AIDS Connection said the overdoses are reportedly linked to yellow-coloured fentanyl.
Lily Bialas, Interim director of harm reduction at Regional HIV/AIDS Connection said the advisory was written after hearing from the community that a yellow coloured substance was having an “opioid like” affect on people, “specifically with respiratory depression and overdoses.”
“In terms of confirming what’s in the substance, that’s a really hard thing to concretely determine, especially with such a toxic drug supply,” Bialas said.
Dawson said that none of the reported overdoses have been fatal.
In 2025 there were 218 overdoses reversed at the CarePoint Consumption and Treatment Services site in downtown London, which is a Regional HIV/AIDS Connection program.
Around 11:15 a.m. Wednesday officers responded to what they described as “increased number” of overdoses downtown, when they learned of the suspect.
Those who suffered overdoses were transported to hospital, which resulted in London Health Sciences Centre issuing a code orange alert which signifies a possible patient surge.
“Our dedicated physicians and staff are always prepared to respond to surges in patient volumes, and we have policies and procedures in place to assist us in addressing patient flow and capacity challenges,” said Dr. Christie MacDonald, the head of LHSC’s emergency medicine department.
LHSC were unable to share the status of anyone who suffered a toxic overdose due to patient privacy and confidentiality.
Victoria Hospital of LHSC. (Credit: London Health Sciences Centre)
Police continue their investigation, and are asking anyone with information or dashcam footage to contact them.
Police also urge anyone who was given the substance or interacted with the suspect to come forward as well.
In 2024 a similar incident led to several non-fatal overdoses after a man handed out an unknown substance for free. The incident saw a 26-year-old Thornhill man arrested and charged with drug trafficking as a result.
“Substance use and addiction are complex, and they require a comprehensive healthcare and community approach,” Bialas said.
