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Two Humboldt County jail inmates were saved by correctional officers after suspected opioid overdoses, the Humboldt County Sheriff's Office announced in a press release today.

On Monday night, correctional officers administered Naloxone, a nasal spray commonly used to counter decreased breathing caused by an opioid overdose, to two female inmates housed in the same cell after they were found unresponsive and showing signs of a possible opioid overdose.

Both inmates were later transported to a local hospital for further treatment and are expected to recover.

"By quickly responding and administering the life-saving medication, correctional deputies effectively saved both inmates’ lives," the release states.

After the incident, correctional officers searched the cell in which the women were housed and located .6 grams of suspected fentanyl.

The officers expanded the search and reported finding approximately 19.8 grams of suspected heroin in inmate Angela Dawnstar Lockwood's cell. New charges of alleged possession of a controlled substance in a correctional facility have been added to her booking.

According to the release, officers have opened an investigation into how the substances entered the jail.

Humboldt County has seen an uptick in illicit fentanyl distribution, possession, overdose cases and an alarming number of overdose deaths.

According to the Drug Enforcement Administration, a lethal dose of fentanyl consists of 2 milligrams, equal in size to a few grains of salt. As of July 1, 2021, the Humboldt County Coroner’s Office has responded to 15 fentanyl overdose deaths.

"Due to the rising prevalence of fentanyl in our community, Humboldt County correctional deputies have been equipped to carry Naloxone and have received training on its administration," the release states.

Read the full release below.

Multiple overdose incidents at the Humboldt County Correctional Facility

Humboldt County Correctional Deputies and medical staff at the Humboldt County Correctional Facility used medication to save two individuals suspected of opioid overdose.

Monday night, at around 5:40 p.m., correctional deputies were alerted to two medical emergencies occurring inside the same housing unit. Deputies located the two female inmates unresponsive and exhibiting signs of opioid overdose. Each incident required multiple administrations of Naloxone. Also known as Narcan, Naloxone is a nasal spray commonly used to counter decreased breathing caused by an opioid overdose.

By quickly responding and administering the life-saving medication, correctional deputies effectively saved both inmates’ lives. The inmates were transported to a local hospital for treatment following the incidents and are expected to recover.

Correctional deputies conducted a search of the unit and located approximately .6 grams of suspected fentanyl on Monday. Since then, through multiple searches, correctional deputies have now located approximately 19.8 grams of suspected heroin. An investigation into how the substances entered the facility is being conducted.

Inmate Angela Dawnstar Lockwood, age 32, was found to be in possession of 19.8 grams of heroin. Fresh charges of possession of a controlled substance in a correctional facility (PC 4573(A)) have been added to her booking.

Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid and a Schedule II narcotic that is approximately 100 times more potent than morphine and 50 times more potent than heroin. Humboldt County has seen a substantial increase in illicit fentanyl distribution, possession and overdose cases, including an alarming number of overdose deaths.

According to the Drug Enforcement Administration, a lethal dose of fentanyl consists of two milligrams, equal in size to a few grains of salt. As of July 1, 2021, the Humboldt County Coroner’s Office has responded to 15 fentanyl overdose deaths.

Due to the rising prevalence of fentanyl in our community, Humboldt County correctional deputies have been equipped to carry Naloxone and have received training on its administration.

Humboldt County Sheriff William Honsal commends the correctional deputies and medical staff for their quick actions in saving four lives.