Sheriff: Opioid use tied to Greenwood Co. jail evacuation

Greenwood County Sheriff Heath Samuels said four inmates overdosed on opioids, an incident that prompted him to briefly evacuate the county jail.

State News

September 28, 2026 - 3:08 PM

EUREKA — An opioid overdose sent four Greenwood County Jail inmates to the hospital, and was the cause of an order to evacuate the facility last week.

In his weekly media report Monday, Greenwood County Sheriff Heath Samuels said the four inmates intentionally ingested opioids in the form of white powder.

The incident began when two inmates were reported unresponsive the afternoon of Sept. 22, Samuels said. Within minutes, two others began experiencing symptoms.

With concerns of “a possible air-quality issue,” Samuels ordered the jail to be…

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