Corrections Deputies Quick Response Results In Five Inmates Surviving Suspected Opioid Overdose. (Photo) - 01/05/23

Released By: Sergeant Jason Wall

Release Date: 01/05/2023

Location: Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office Adult Jail

Arrested: McDonald, Sean Robert 25 year old male

Charges: Unlawful Possession of a Schedule II Controlled Substance, Unlawful Delivery of a Schedule II Controlled Substance (4 Counts), Recklessly Endangering Another (4 Counts), Supplying Contraband

Narrative:

On 12/31/22, at approximately 10:45 pm corrections deputies were alerted to an emergent medical issue within the Adult Jail. Bend Fire/Paramedics were immediately dispatched to the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office Adult Jail for a report of a possible opioid overdose involving two inmates.

Corrections deputies immediately began life saving measures, to include administering Narcan (a brand of Naloxone), performing CPR, and employing an AED. 

During these life saving measures, it was determined two other inmates were experiencing medical complications similar to the first two and they were evaluated and treated. One inmate was administered Narcan.

In a coordinated effort between the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office Patrol Division, Corrections Division, and Bend Fire/Paramedics all four inmates were transported to St. Charles Medical Center in Bend for treatment.

Naloxone is a medicine that rapidly reverses/reduces the effects of an opioid overdose. Narcan was administered in the form of a nasal spray during this incident. All patrol deputies carry Narcan, and it is strategically placed inside the adult jail to be readily available for its use on either inmates or corrections deputies in the event of an exposure.

On 01/01/23 at approximately 2:00 am, it was determined a fifth inmate was exhibiting signs and symptoms of a possible opioid overdose. That inmate was treated and ultimately transported to St. Charles Medical Center.

Due to the immediate action of the corrections deputies, and extensive training they receive in being able to identify the signs/symptoms of a possible opioid overdose and appropriately respond, all five inmates survived.

As a result of the preliminary investigation, it was determined an inmate was successful in secreting fentanyl laced pills on their person and introduced them into the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office Adult Jail. The counterfeit pills were then distributed to other inmates that were housed in the same dormitory.

Searches were conducted and are currently ongoing throughout the facility, resulting in the seizure of approximately 50 counterfeit pills laced with suspected Fentanyl.

All inmates were treated and released from St. Charles Medical Center, returning to the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office Adult Jail.

McDonald was additionally charged and lodged on the above listed charges.

During 2022 there were a total of six incidents where Narcan was administered to inmates as a result of a suspected opioid overdose. In five of these incidents the inmates were administered Narcan, and eventually transported to St. Charles Medical Center, treated and returned to the Adult Jail. One incident did not require hospitalization.

Between December 31, 2022 and January 03, 2023 there have been six inmates who experienced suspected opioid overdoses, 4 of which were administered Narcan by Corrections Deputies, all six inmates survived.

In comparison, during 2021 there were four incidents where Narcan was administered to inmates as a result of suspected opioid overdose.

Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid 80 to 100 times more powerful than morphine and 30 to 50 times more powerful than heroin. A 3-milligram dose of fentanyl—a few grains of the substance—is enough to kill an average adult male. The availability of illicit fentanyl in Oregon has caused a dramatic increase in overdose deaths throughout the state.

Provisional data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) indicate that there were more than 107,000 fatal drug overdoses in the U.S. in 2021, an increase of nearly 15% from the previous year. Synthetic opioids (primarily fentanyl) accounted for more than three-quarters of these deaths. Numbers from 2022 are not yet available.

The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office is a full-service agency that oversees the adult jail, provides patrol, criminal investigations, civil process and search and rescue operations. Special units include SWAT, Street Crimes, Marine Patrol, ATV Patrol, Forest Patrol, along with six K9 teams. Founded in 1916 and today led by your duly elected Sheriff L. Shane Nelson, the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office serves over 200,000 residents in Deschutes County. The agency has 263 authorized and funded personnel, which includes 178 sworn employees who provide services to the 3,055 square miles of Deschutes County.