Advertisement

Update: Health Canada investigating substance that hospitalized Hamilton jail guard

Click to play video: 'Correction officers increasingly at risk of exposure to fentanyl'
Correction officers increasingly at risk of exposure to fentanyl
Mon, Sep 18: The addictive opioid fentanyl has prison inmates going to great lengths to get it, putting staff on the inside in danger. An inmate and four staff members at the Calgary Correctional Centre were treated over the weekend after a possible exposure. Jill Croteau reports – Sep 18, 2017

Health Canada is now investigating after a correctional officer at the Hamilton-Wentworth Detention Centre was hospitalized after coming into contact with an unknown substance.

The Hamilton Police Vice and Drug Unit says it is investigating Thursday afternoon’s medical call for service.

The jail guard has since been released.

There were reports Thursday afternoon that a suddenly ill officer was transported from the Barton Street jail to hospital.

Several other guards were sent to hospital to be checked over as a precaution.

For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen.

Get breaking National news

For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen.
By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.

 

Story continues below advertisement

The union representing the correctional officers suspects the guard was exposed to Fentanyl.

The Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services would not comment on the union reports.

Throughout Ontario, naloxone opioid antidote kits are available at correctional institutions, for both guards and inmates in case of an overdose.

Sponsored content

AdChoices