Fentanyl Overdose at Broome County Jail Investigated

Broome County Sheriff’s officials are investigating a fentanyl overdose at the county jail.

Authorities say during scheduled jail activity on Friday, October 7 a 34-year-old inmate did not respond to calls to come out of his cell and a correction officer found him lying on the floor, not breathing and with no pulse. 

The corrections officer called for assistance and responding officers and nursing staff performed cardio pulmonary resuscitation, provided oxygen and began to administer an overdose reversal.   

Several doses of the reversal drug, NARCAN were administered and the man began breathing and regained consciousness within several minutes. 

The inmate was transported by ambulance to Wilson Memorial Regional Medical Center in Johnson City for additional medical attention. 

According to a news release from the Sheriff’s Office, a preliminary investigation has determined the inmate had suffered an overdose from the deadly synthetic opioid, fentanyl. 

The Broome County Sheriff’s Office Corrections Investigation Unit is continuing to investigate the incident.  Authorities have not said if they have determined how the inmate got the contraband drug into the correctional facility in the Town of Dickinson. 

Information provided by the Sheriff’s Office also does not reveal the man’s name, where he is from or why he was being detained in the Broome County Jail. 

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Fentanyl has become a growing problem throughout society as the concentrated and very deadly substance is widely available, relatively inexpensive and is often added to other substances without the user’s knowledge. 

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, fentanyl “is a powerful synthetic opioid analgesic that is similar to morphine but is 50 to 100 times more potent. “  

As a prescription medication, it is typically used to treat patients with severe pain or to manage pain post-surgery.