Inmate treated for heroin overdose at Rutherford County jail
The Rutherford County Sheriff's Office is investigating a heroin overdose Nov. 5 by an inmate, a spokesperson confirmed.
The overdose occurred at a time when new deputy chief Kevin Henderson is overseeing jail operations. Henderson started Nov. 1 after accepting his position from Rutherford County Sheriff Mike Fitzhugh.
Jail medical staff administered Narcan nasal spray to the inmate, Lisa Marchesoni said.
Narcan is a prescription medicine used for the treatment of a known or suspected opioid overdose emergency — signs of breathing problems, severe sleepiness or unable to respond, according to the product website.
The inmate was transported to Ascension Saint Thomas Rutherford Hospital and returned to the adult detention center early the following morning.
"He is fine," Marchesoni said.
Marchesoni said the sheriff's office does not release names of inmates in overdose situations. The spokesperson verified that the inmate had been at the jail since June, but could not reveal if he had been in protective custody.
More: Turnover at Rutherford County Adult Detention Center includes chief job
Those in protective custody have tighter security from detention officers and no unsupervised interaction with other inmates providing meals.
"Because of security reasons, we cannot release information," Marchesoni said. "This remains under investigation."
The sheriff's office previously has dealt with drugs smuggled into the jail, including when an inmate overdosed on heroin-fentanyl on May 21, 2018. The sheriff's office charged another inmate with smuggling the illegal drugs into the jail.
Reach reporter Scott Broden through email, sbroden@dnj.com, or phone, 615-278-5158. Follow him on Twitter @ScottBroden.
This article originally appeared on Murfreesboro Daily News Journal: Inmate heroin overdose at Rutherford County jail in Tennessee
