A Fentanyl patch-for-patch return program resolution was passed by city council on Monday evening.
Councillor Mike Doody, who spearheaded the initiative gave those in attendance some context.
“Certainly for some time, we've been hearing about Fentanyl patches not being for the reason of helping people. It has just become too prevalent across the province that Fentanyl patches are being used in a destructive way, in a way that is harmful to all types of people,” he said.
“Unfortunately, even in some cases lives have been taken in just a horrible way. It affects the individual, their friends and their family especially.”
Doody explained how the entire Northeast Ontario region, including Timmins, North Bay, Sault Ste. Marie and Sudbury, with co-operation from the Police Services Board, passed a resolution which will change the way Fentanyl patches can be acquired.
“It can be only be acquired if you're going through a pharmacist. What they call 'patches-for-patches' when you're through using your patches, you must bring the used patches with you to the pharmacist,” he said.
Doody fully expects all pharmacists in the region to endorse the initiative.
He expressed how sad it was that Fentanyl patches were being sold for profit on the streets.
“It's just a terrible way for something that should be used for good, in some cases is being used to make money, and in some cases, the worst possible scenarios of taking someone's life.”
“We're pleased that locally, we have endorsed the program and hopefully it will catch on throughout the country,” said Doody.
The death of 27-year-old Scotty McKinnon from a fatal dose of Fentanyl on Boxing Day 2014 was a shock for the entire region.
His father Tim Mckinnon, and uncle Jeff Martin were on hand to support the initiative.
Mayor Steve Black had some kind words for the two.
“I know this isn't easy for you, but you as Scotty's father and Scotty's uncle, wanting to take this situation and bring awareness to it so it doesn't happen to other families, is very noble,” said Black.
“With this resolution, it's one step closer to the end for us. We've seen deaths in Timmins since I lost my god son on Boxing Day, there has been other fatalities in the city. There's been fatalities right across Ontario,” said Jeff Martin.
“It doesn't discriminate on who it kills. Rich people have died taking the drug, poor people have died taking the drug. I was in the residence of a lady who passed away, and I couldn't believe the conditions she was living in, because of her addiction to Fentanyl”
Martin said he will be speaking to schools in the area and has been asked to speak at the Jubliee Centre, an addiction treatment centre in Timmins.
“I just want to help our community and help our youngsters.”
He then pointed at a photo of Scotty.
“A young lad like this, his whole life ahead of him, and he makes one mistake and that mistake cost him his life. There's other kids that are doing the same,” he said.
Fentanyl is a powerful synthetic opiate similar to, but more powerful than Morphine. It is used to treat patients with severe pain and is used in palliative care.
