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Gouverneur correctional officer possibly exposed to Fentanyl

Posted 1/26/23

GOUVERNEUR - An officer who was searching the cell and property of an inmate was overcome by exposure to possibly Fentanyl at the medium security correctional facility on Monday, Jan. 23, according …

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Gouverneur correctional officer possibly exposed to Fentanyl

Posted

GOUVERNEUR - An officer who was searching the cell and property of an inmate was overcome by exposure to possibly Fentanyl at the medium security correctional facility on Monday, Jan. 23, according to a New York State Officers & Police Benevolent Association, Inc. press release issued Thursday.

The officer, assisted by another officer, was searching the cell at approximately 8:30 a.m. when he began feeling lightheaded and short of breath. The officer was immediately taken to the infirmary. In the infirmary, the officer’s condition worsened and he became incoherent. A registered nurse administered two doses of Narcan prior to an ambulance arriving to transport the officer to Gouverneur Hospital for further treatment, the release states.

The ventilation systems of the building containing the contaminated cell were shut down to contain the exposure. The fire department responded with the Hazardous Materials Team to assess and clean up the contaminated area. Once the area was cleaned, the ventilation system was turned back on.

After treatment at the hospital, the officer was released from the hospital later in the day and did not return to duty.

The second officer was evaluated and had no symptoms and remained on duty.

Testing of the contaminated area was inconclusive. Further test results to determine the substance are forthcoming.