Multiple inmates overdose in Cocke County Jail, sheriff says

COCKE CO., Tenn. (WVLT) - Five female inmates were treated for an overdose Wednesday, according to officials with the Cocke Co. Sheriff’s Office.

First responders were requested by jail personnel around 5:45 p.m. after the inmates overdosed on an unknown substance.

On-site nurses along with first responders administered 17 nasal injections and three injections of Narcan.

“NO INMATE DIED as social media has reported,” officials said. “3 of the 5 inmates requested by nursing to be transferred to a hospital for better observation.”

A female inmate brought in the unknown substance around noon and hid it in an area where it could not be detected without an x-ray or body scanner, according to officials.

“The investigation will continue and charges will be placed against any and all that are involved in the introduction,” officials said.

After the inmates were treated, Jefferson County K-9 Unit helped search the cells.

Officials said they were in the process of applying for a grant to fund a body scanner.

“This is going to be a big help in trying to locate drugs that come into the detention center,” officials said.

This evening at around 5:45 pm, detention center supervisors requested for first responders to respond to the Jail annex on 5 female inmates that overdosed on an unknown substance. Nursing in facility, correction officers, Newport Fire Department, Newport Police Department, Cocke County Sheriff’s Office, Priority Ambulance and outside county ambulance services responded to the detention center to administer first response medical to all 5. 17 Nasal Injections and 3 injections of narcan was administered. NO INMATE DIED as social media has reported. 3 of the 5 inmates requested by nursing to be transferred to a hospital for better observation. The investigation is ongoing but from what information we do have, a female inmate that was brought in at around noon, had the unknown substance in an undisclosed area that cannot be detected without an X-ray or body scanner. The investigation will continue and charges will be placed against any and all that are involved in the introduction. After all medical was handled, Cocke County and Jefferson County K-9 officers arrived and searched the cells. The Cocke County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank all responding first responders and to Sheriff Jeff Coffee and Jefferson County Sheriffs Office for sending K-9 to assist in the search of cells. A grant is in the process that should provide a body scanner and will be installed in the annex once we are approved. This is going to be a big help in trying to locate drugs that come into the detention center.

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