CHILLICOTHE, Ohio — The mass overdose incident that unfolded within the walls of Ross County Jail on Sunday night has not only raised concerns about inmate safety but has also placed an unprecedented strain on local emergency resources. As officials from the Sheriff’s office maintain their unyielding silence, disturbing reports emerge of ambulances tied up, an inmate rushed to the hospital in a police cruiser, and the jail’s notorious history of overdoses and deaths.
In the wake of the mass overdose, emergency response teams were dispatched to the Ross County Jail to provide urgent medical assistance to the affected inmates. However, the magnitude of the incident quickly overwhelmed the available resources, stretching the city’s emergency services to their limits. As ambulances were diverted to the jail, other critical calls had to be put on hold, potentially endangering lives and compromising emergency response times. At least one person was hit by a vehicle on Bridge Street near route 35, which prompted a neighboring township to respond to the call, including the Veteran Affairs Fire Department.
The scarcity of available ambulances prompted a distressing situation where at least one inmate had to be rushed to the hospital in the back of a Sheriff’s cruiser. This unprecedented measure underscores the dire circumstances faced by emergency personnel in their efforts to save lives and highlights the strain caused by the lack of adequate resources and the issues that continue to plague the county jail.
“On the evening of May 14th, Medic 3 was dispatched to the Law Complex …. for an overdose. Medic 4 was already at Adena ER finishing up from a previous call and they were (again) dispatched …. to the Law Complex for another overdose patient. Dispatch had requested more medic units from the city but two were all we had available that day, like most days,” said Chillicothe Fire Chief Aaron Knotts. “Mutual aid was requested and several township squads responded and transported patients as well. During this timeframe Chillicothe Fire was unable to respond to the pedestrian that was hit on Bridge Street and U.S. 35. Additional mutual aid responded and transported that patient. Medic 3 cleared Adena E.R. at 22:20 hours and was immediately dispatched to another call. In all, from [8 p.m. to 2 a.m.] six hours, Chillicothe Fire was dispatched and responded to 9 EMS calls.”
Knotts said that the city has responded to 2,222 EMS calls so far this year, of which 75 were overdoses. Of those 75 overdose calls, the fire department has administered Narcan to 40 patients, according to records.
“Overdoses only account for 3.3% of our calls, so we definitely have other issues we deal with much more frequently. Overdoses, for the most part, are preventable in nature unlike a lot of other calls for service we respond to. You asked how the CFD is addressing the strain of resources from overdoses and the answer to that is it is not a strain from overdoses it is a strain from all calls for service. We responded to over 6,000 EMS calls last year and that is handled by two and sometimes 3 medic units depending on our daily staffing. Additional staffing and resources would be the only fix we can make, and unfortunately our city, like a lot of other cities, is not designed to support 20 firefighters a day and run 5 medic units; we do not generate that much revenue.”
Disturbingly, this mass overdose incident is not an isolated occurrence within the walls of the Ross County Jail. The facility has gained a notorious reputation for its history of overdoses and deaths, further deepening concerns about the jail’s ability to ensure the well-being of its inmates. Previous incidents have sparked criticism and calls for reform, yet the latest episode raises renewed questions about the efficacy of safety measures and healthcare practices within the facility. In some cases, families have filed lawsuits, only to end up with out-of-court settlements.
Community members and advocates for criminal justice reform have long decried the lack of accountability and transparency surrounding the Ross County Jail. The recurring pattern of overdoses and deaths has eroded trust in the institution, leaving many to question whether adequate measures are being taken to address the root causes and prevent further tragedies.
In the face of mounting public outcry, Sheriff George Lavender refuses to break his silence and provide a comprehensive account of the circumstances surrounding the mass overdose incident. He has not returned emails or calls from news media or members of the public.
“Transparent communication is essential to restore faith in the local law enforcement system and to ensure that steps are taken to prevent future incidents,” said Melissa Burden, whose nephew is incarcerated at the county jail. “The strain placed on emergency resources must be addressed urgently.”
As the community waits for answers, the mass overdose incident within the Ross County Jail continues to cast a dark shadow over the facility. The unresponsiveness of officials, coupled with the strain on emergency resources, only intensifies the urgent need for a thorough investigation into the incident, reforms in jail protocols, and improved inmate healthcare to prevent such devastating episodes from recurring in the future, Burden said.