Patch program aims to prevent Fentanyl abuse

“By safely disposing of these potentially harmful patches and keeping them off our streets, this program will improve health and safety in our communities,” Dr. Penny Sutcliffe, Greater Sudbury's medical officer of health, said in a release.

The program, which is already in place in communities such as North Bay, Espanola, Manitoulin Island and Sault Ste. Marie, will ensure consistency for dispensing Fentanyl patches in Northern Ontario.

Fentanyl is a strong opiate drug used for short-term pain relief. It can be particularly addictive and users must quickly increase their dosage in order to achieve the same effects. Abuse of the patches has become a growing problem, prompting many cities to adopt similar patch programs to prevent abuse.

“The Fentanyl Patch4Patch Program was driven by the work of the Sudbury Community Drug Strategy Committee,” Police Chief Paul Pedersen said in the release.

“As a community, we must continue to work together to improve the health, safety and well-being of all individuals, families and neighbourhoods, and create a society increasingly free of the range of harms associated with substance misuse.”

All partners in the Community Drug Strategy welcome the opportunity to work collaboratively towards a safe and healthy community, the release said. The partnership provides a platform for police to work with community partners in order to improve community safety and well-being.