A Cumberland County sheriff’s deputy had to be medically evaluated after a man under arrest spilled fentanyl inside a cruiser early Sunday morning.
Capt. Wayne Pike said in a statement that Tannis A. Goodson, 29, of Raymond had been arrested on a variety of charges and had just arrived at the Cumberland County Jail’s sally port when the deputy realized that Goodson had spilled the drug on the back of the cruiser seat and on the floor of the cruiser.
“The cruiser was locked down and secured and Goodson was transported to Maine Medical Center to be screened for an exposure,” Pike said. “The deputy was also evaluated and cleared and no corrections officers were exposed.”
Pike said the jail intake area had to be shut down until the cruiser and intake area could be decontaminated. The incident took place around 4:30 a.m.
Goodson was charged with operating without a license, operating while under the influence of drugs, violating conditions of release and possession of a scheduled drug.
Fentanyl is a powerful synthetic painkiller. According to the Office of National Drug Control Policy, first responders need to protect themselves from possible exposure. Fentanyl can be inhaled if the powder becomes airborne and can be dangerous if it comes into contact with skin.
Slow breathing, drowsiness and constricted or pinpoint pupils are signs consistent with fentanyl intoxication. Naloxone can be used to reverse the effects of fentanyl.
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