Inmates at Towers Jail in Maricopa County treated for drug overdoses, sheriff's office says

MARICOPA COUNTY, Ariz. - Five Maricopa County jail inmates were treated for signs of an overdose over the weekend, the sheriff's office said.

On May 7, the inmates from Towers Jail near 27th Avenue and Lower Buckeye Road were given Narcan, treated at the hospital and were released back into custody, says Sgt. Joaquin Enriquez.

It's not clear what drug the people were experiencing an overdose from.

Not too long ago, Maricopa County Sheriff Paul Penzone outlined a plan to better the jail system's vetting process – for employees and inmates – checking if they have contraband on them when coming into its facilities.

His announcement came after former detention officer Andres Salazar was accused of bringing drugs into the Lower Buckeye Jail.

It wasn't detailed how the drugs got into the jail this time around.

Sheriff Paul Penzone addresses inmate deaths and drug smuggling in jail

According to Maricopa County's Sheriff, 89 jail inmates have died frrom 2020 to 2022, and 32 of those were drug related. Meanwhile, Fentanyl is, by far, the most seized drug in jail, and it has been steadily rising.

Maricopa County detention officer arrested, accused of drug-related offenses

The detention officer was busted by his own agency, and he is accused of trying to smuggle drugs into the Lower Buckeye Jail. FOX 10's Nicole Garcia reports.

Location of the jail:

Crime and Public Safety Opioid Epidemic News