COCKE COUNTY, Tenn. — The Cocke County Sheriff's Office said Wednesday that five inmates overdosed on "an unknown substance" and were given nasal treatments and Narcan injections in a detention center at around 5:45 p.m.
Josh Hartsell, the Chief of Corrections, said three out of the five women were taken to the hospital. He said the women tested positive for meth, fentanyl and heroin.
The CCSO said the actual substance has not been tested yet. Hartsell expects it to be some type of mix.
Hartsell said the woman who brought the unknown substance into the jail was initially charged with possession of drugs. He said camera footage showed the woman had multiple bags with her.
The CCSO said the Newport Fire Department, Newport Police Department and ambulance services responded to the detention center to give the women medical services. Deputies said the inmates were given a total of 17 nasal injections and three Narcan injections.
Jessica Stanley teaches overdose prevention at the Metro Drug Coalition. She said most overdoses only need about two Narcan doses to save a person's life.
"If it was 17 nasal sprays, that was four milligrams a piece," Stanley said. "So that is a lot of Narcan."
She said multiple doses of Narcan are needed when there is a high dosage of drugs involved.
"Some people respond to one dose. Some people, it takes multiple doses," she said.
Three of the women were transferred to a hospital for better observation. As of Thursday afternoon, all but one inmate had returned to jail. The CCSO said the remaining inmate was expected to be released from the hospital later that afternoon.
Deputies said they were investigating how the "unknown substance" was brought into the detention center.
They said a woman was brought into the detention center at around 12 p.m. and had the substance in "an undisclosed area that cannot be detected without an X-ray or body scanner." After the incident, they said cells were searched to make sure no other illicit substances were present.
Two of the women are now facing charges: Ella Ellison, 51, and Amanda Pope, 30. Ellison is charged with introduction of contraband, and Pope is charged with criminal conspiracy.
According to court affidavits, Ellison concealed multiple baggies in her "female parts" and Pope helped her remove them. Deputies said the five inmates started falling out and requiring medical attention roughly 10 to 15 minutes later.
The CCSO said a grant was "in the process" that should provide a body scanner for the detention center.