School district addresses fentanyl issue

The Upper Canada District School Board (UCDSB) is working with the Eastern Ontario Health Unit (EOHU) and other agencies to educate and safeguard students at its schools from the danger of fentanyl and other types of drug use and abuse. UCDSB trustees received a staff report during their March 8 meeting outlining district response to the recent police and public health service alerts on the rising popularity of fentanyl by drug addicts and those who are new to drug culture. District staff are meeting with school support teams, to review strategies which promote healthy lifestyle choices for students, thus reducing the chance of highrisk behaviours that might lead to substance use. This includes educating students about the risk of drug and alcohol use, providing counselling specific to fentanyl, and also providing information handouts for students and parents about fentanyl, to increase overall community awareness of the drug.