PATCH 4 PATCH MOMENTUM BUILDING
June 29, 2015NORTH BAY – A locally developed solution to curb the growing trend of fentanyl abuse
is continuing to show its effectiveness, and continues to spread across the province,
Nipissing MPP Vic Fedeli said today.
The Patch 4 Patch program, which is incorporated into Fedeli’s Private Members’ Bill,
Bill 33, the Safeguarding Our Communities Act, has now been implemented or is in the
process of being implemented in 45 Ontario communities. That number is expected to
grow even further.
“It’s now been more than a year since the last fentanyl death in North Bay. This is
indeed a victory considering that since 2007, the city was averaging two such deaths a
year,” Fedeli said.
“Thanks to all the local partners, Patch 4 Patch is working, and I believe it can be even
more effective if it becomes provincewide.”
The Patch 4 Patch initiative, and Fedeli’s bill, were recently highlighted in a Maclean’s
magazine feature on the growth of the fentanyl problem across the country.
(http://www.macleans.ca/society/health/fentanyl-the-king-of-all-opiates-and-a-killer-drugcrisis/)
“While I’m pleased our local efforts to combat fentanyl abuse are now gaining national
attention, much more work lies ahead,” Fedeli noted.
“I will be looking to put my Private Members’ Bill before Committee this fall so we can
hear from stakeholders and discuss how we can make Patch 4 Patch work for all of
Ontario.”
For more information, or to arrange an interview, contact:
Clint Thomas
Executive Assistant
(705) 474-8340 or (416) 710-1752