GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -- A Kent County Sheriff's deputy is recuperating after an airborne exposure to cocaine.
The Sheriff's Office says the deputy was lodging a drunk-driving suspect at the jail Tuesday morning and doing an inventory on the suspect's personal items. That's when the deputy came across an unknown substance inside a pouch. He quickly realized he might have had an airborne exposure to the substance, so he notified jail staff.
They administered two doses of Narcan and monitored his vital signs. The Sheriff's Office says the deputy began showing the effects of being exposed to the mystery substance, so two more doses of Narcan were given.
The substance was later identified as cocaine.
"But at the time, we treat all substances as unknown," Sheriff's Sgt. Eric Brunner told WOOD Radio. "Only with time do we know that it was cocaine, and Narcan isn't necessarily going to interact with that drug."
"However, in the moment we're all trained to treat these items as dangerous and unknown until further notice. And oftentimes, cocaine and other drugs are cut with, mixed with fetanyl and other dangerous substances."
The deputy was then driven by ambulance to a hospital, treated and later released.
KCSO says the deputy was wearing gloves and being mindful when he was doing inventory on the suspect's belongings, but the danger still existed.
"It was definitely a concerning experience, not only emotionally but physically, trying to figure out what was going on. But everyone did a great job," Brunner said. "All staff performed exactly how they were trained to in administering quick assistance to the deputy."
If you or someone you known is struggling with an addiction, the Sheriff's Office asks you to call 211 to find helpful resources in the community. Or, call the National Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration helpline at 800-622-HELP (4357).
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