Fentanyl not commonly seen by cops

LIMA - The death of a Celina woman, most likely the result of an overdose from the prescription pain patch Fentanyl, once again shows the dangers of misusing drugs.

Michelle Riley, 36, was found dead this week after using the patch and her husband, Brett Riley, 42, who also was injured, is facing criminal charges for supplying her the patch.

Fentanyl is a patch that slowly administers doses of a pain killer typically over an 18-hour span. The patch comes in different doses, said John Pack, a pharmacist who owns Pack Pharmacy on West Market Street. The drug cannot be obtained over the counter.

Death from Fentanyl occurs when the drug creates respiratory depression and the person suffocates, Pack said.

In the case of Michelle Riley, authorities said she chewed it to increase its effect.

Lima has not seen a problem with Fentanyl patches, said Maj. Kevin Martin of the Lima Police Department.

In Auglaize County, Sheriff Al Solomon said he hasn't seen a problem with it.

"That's not to say it's not going on, we just don't come across it," he said.

The patch is time-released and takes a while to penetrate the skin so it doesn't have an immediate effect something that can be dangerous if an abuser is seeking an immediate fix, Pack said. Fentanyl often is used along with other pain medication.

"They are not the first step in pain control but they are not uncommon," he said. "This is meant to handle the bulk of the pain."

Fentanyl often is used by cancer patients, people with chronic back problems or someone with around-the-clock pain. The patch typically is stuck to a person's arm, shoulder, chest or back, he said.

Fentanyl patches can find their way to illegal use many ways, often through someone who holds a prescription, Pack said.

Martin said prescription drugs also can be illegally obtained when people steal them or use false pretenses to get the drugs.

"Those are probably the two most common ways," he said.