Few details are known at this time, but London police say seven inmates at the Elgin-Middlesex Detention Centre (EMDC) have been hospitalized after overdosing.
Officers, paramedics and fire crews responded to the Exeter Road jail around 2:15 p.m. on Thursday.
“Upon arrival, seven inmates were found to have overdosed on some type of a drug,” said Const. Michelle Romano.
“All seven inmates have since been transported to London hospitals and were all conscious at the time,” she said.
Const. Romano says the inmates were in the same range, and had overdosed on opiates. Late Thursday, police said six of the inmates remained in hospital in fair condition, while one remained in serious condition.
“At this point, it’s an ongoing investigation, however, we do know that it was an opiate of some kind that caused this,” Romano said.
Romano says the investigation is early and currently ongoing, as it is not yet known what specific drug was involved.
Concerns surrounding the EMDC have recently been raised surrounding the security of the staff, inmates and visitors at the prison, as well as overcrowding.
At least 13 inmates have died in the prison since 2009.
— With files from Global News Radio 980 CFPL’s Matthew Trevitick
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