The custodial death report (CDR) about the November 5, 2022, death of 34-year-old Jose Saul Cruz Jr. in the Dawson County Jail in Lamesa, Texas, provides a summary of how his death occurred. After intake that began at 2:45 AM was completed, he was housed in a detox cell and provided with a mattress. Jail staff reported that, throughout the morning, Mr. Cruz paced in his cell while talking to himself and waving his arms. More details to follow in the next segment of this series.

Things to Know About Naloxone, such as Narcan®

Narcan is one of the medications that contain naloxone, which is a medicine that can help people who are experiencing an opioid overdose. Cocaine and methamphetamine are examples of opioids that are oftentimes mixed or laced with fentanyl.

What does naloxone do?

Naloxone temporarily reverses the effects of an overdose of opioids, including the following:

• Fentanyl
• Morphine
• Heroin
• Methadone
• Oxycodone (OxyContin®)
• Hydrocodone (Vicodin®)
• Codeine
• Buprenorphine
• Hydromorphone

How can naloxone be administered?

Naloxone can either be administered by any bystander through the nostrils with a prefilled nasal spray device or with an injection of naloxone solution under the skin or into a muscle.

Can naloxone harm someone if they are not having an opioid overdose?

It is safe to administer naloxone to any person of any age suspected of having an opioid overdose. Whether an infant, child, adolescent, adult, or elderly person, it will cause no harm to administer naloxone such as Narcan.

See Part 1 and Part 2 of this continuing series.

This website was established with the mission of providing helpful information to municipal and county jail prisoners who are now or have been detained in a local Texas jail. Suggesting that wrongdoing has occurred on the part of an entity or person is never intended.

–Guest Contributor