Police say some people in Smooth Rock Falls are already taking advantage of a new government program.

The OPP is currently investigating the circulation of fake fentanyl patches in Smooth Rock Falls and on a more widespread outlook, Northern Ontario, as a direct abuse of the Patch4Patch program.

OPP Media Officer Stephanie Belec says that anyone caught with counterfeit patches will be charged.

Belec says the provincial system for returning fentanyl patches is being abused in Northern Ontario.

She says currently the investigation into the counterfeit patches in Smooth Rock Falls is ongoing.