Two inmates at the Athens-Clarke County Jail were hospitalized Tuesday evening after suspected drug overdoses in separate incidents less than 30 minutes apart. Deputies found both men unresponsive in their cells and administered immediate life-saving measures before EMS transported them to a local hospital for treatment, a jail spokesperson said.
At approximately 5 p.m., deputies discovered an unresponsive 28-year-old white male in one of the housing units. Jail personnel immediately initiated life-saving measures and notified medical staff, said Athens-Clarke County Sheriff’s Public Information Officer Keith Sims. Emergency Medical Services (EMS) responded, and the individual—who had regained consciousness—was transported to a nearby hospital for further treatment.
At approximately 5:26 p.m., Sims said staff were alerted to a second unresponsive individual in a separate housing unit. Jail personnel again responded, providing emergency aid to the 36-year-old black male. EMS and the Athens-Clarke County Fire Department (ACCFD) responded and transported the individual to an area hospital for medical evaluation.
“Both individuals are being evaluated for suspected drug overdoses after deputies found suspected drugs inside the housing unit,” said Sims.
No additional information is available at this time.
The suspected overdoses occurred hours after the jail reported another inmate had died. The inmate, whose name has not been released, was found unresponsive in his cell and later died at the hospital. His cause of death has not been released.
