Following a recent incident, the Timmins Police would like to remind all residents about the dangers of abusing the drug Fentanyl.
This safety advisory stems from an incident in which police were called to a Timmins residence in relation to an unresponsive male. Upon further investigation, police determined that the man had been smoking a Fentanyl patch. Fortunately, the victim is expected to make a full recovery.
If used by someone other than the person to which it was prescribed and in an improper manner, Fentanyl can be fatal, often after just one dose. In Timmins, the rise of Fentanyl abuse has become alarming to both emergency responders and the physicians who treat these patients.
Fentanyl is classed as a “high-risk medicine” which requires vigilance from patients who have been prescribed the drug. The public is reminded to:
• Keep dangerous medication in a secure location – lock medication if possible • Dispose of patches safely to avoid the drugs being used improperly and by the wrong people • Never, ever, share medication with others
