Thurston County, WA officials investigate 2 fentanyl overdoses in jail

Thurston County Jail is facing a troubling increase in fentanyl overdoses, with two incidents reported within just one week. Sheriff Derek Sanders attributes this alarming trend to new state regulations that require body scanners to operate on lower settings, which diminishes their ability to detect hidden drugs. Inmates have been found using increasingly inventive methods to smuggle contraband, such as swallowing drugs or concealing them between layers of skin. The sheriff's office employs a body scanner called "Intercept" to identify smuggling attempts, but the new law complicates its effectiveness. The Washington State Department of Health insists that the updated regulations are designed for safe x-ray use, allowing jails to request higher-dose machines if necessary.

The rapid response of deputies in administering Narcan to unconscious inmates illustrates the immediate danger posed by fentanyl. This ongoing battle against drugs in correctional facilities emphasizes the need for better strategies and technology. The situation remains critical as officials work to find solutions to curb drug access in jails.