Drug exposure causes medical emergencies at Iowa facility

Three corrections officers at Anamosa State Penitentiary in Iowa were hospitalized after being exposed to illegal narcotics at their workplace.

According to a report from local news outlet KCRG, the medical emergencies occurred on July 20 after officers found the narcotic during a cell search. The drug was identified as K2, a type of synthetic marijuana that comes in paper form.

The three officers involved began experiencing symptoms of a drug overdose after handling the narcotic. All three were administered NARCAN and received emergency medical treatment as they were being transported by ambulances.

“What happened at the State Penitentiary is a stark reminder of the constant, dangerous risks our correctional staff face just doing their jobs,” said Todd Copley, president of AFSCME Council 61. “When a routine cell search leads to multiple officers being hospitalized and exposed to unknown substances, it’s clear the system is failing to protect those on the front lines.”

Secondary exposure to illegal narcotics is becoming more common in facilities across the country. AFSCME members who work in corrections in Connecticut, Illinois and around the country are speaking out to make their facilities safer.

The medical emergencies at Anamosa happened at the same time as the Iowa state government plans to outsource health care services at corrections facilities and take away retirement security from thousands of COs and other public service workers.

“Iowa’s correctional professionals deserve better – starting with real staffing, resources, and safety protocols that match the threats they face every day,” Copley said.

AFSCME supports the bipartisan Protecting First Responders from Secondary Exposure Act of 2025 (S. 180), which would provide funding for state and local jails and prisons to obtain containment equipment and training to better protect from secondary exposure due to the rise of lethal drugs like fentanyl.