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Narcan deployments surge in Louisiana state prisons.Narcan deployments surge in Louisiana state prisons BATON ROUGE, La.(WAFB) — Narcan deployments at Louisiana state prisons have surged over the past three years, with nearly 2,500 doses administered in 2025 alone, according to records released by the Louisiana Department of Corrections through a public records request.The generic version of the drug is called naloxone.The WAFB I-TEAM has been documenting a surge in overdoses at state-run prisons for more than a year.New data show Narcan/naloxone deployments, a lifesaving medication that can rapidly reverse an opioid overdose, have increased dramatically since the state began tracking them in July 2023.In the second half of 2023, 1,032 doses were administered across the state’s eight prisons.That number rose to 1,586 in 2024 and jumped to 2,479 in 2025.In some overdose cases, more than one dose of Narcan is used to try to reverse the effects.Jehane Draper’s son, Detroit, died at age 30 at Elayn Hunt Correctional Center in St.He was serving time for attempted manslaughter and was eligible to get out of prison soon with good time.“I do plan to get the truth as it relates to my son, Detroit, by any means necessary,” Draper said.“My son is the catapult to me doing this, but it’s not just about my son.” An autopsy report provided by Draper shows her son had synthetic marijuana in his system at the time of his death.“So now the question becomes, how are the drugs getting in there?” Draper said.“It bothers me to know that drugs are in the system.Illegal drugs are in the system.” Draper said her son’s death was entirely preventable.“They’re actually in state custody.Custody means that they’re in your care,” she said.“You have a responsibility to take care of that person.” The state penitentiary at Angola had the most Narcan doses last year at 929, followed by Allen Correctional Center in Kinder at 580 and Elayn Hunt in St.Gabriel at 364.The WAFB I-TEAM submitted public records requests to the Department of Corrections seeking Narcan deployment data following at least 16 unexpected deaths at Elayn Hunt last year.Three months after the first request, the department released the numbers.According to the most recent data available on the Department of Corrections’ website, 115 state inmates died from overdoses from 2019 to 2024.That overdose death number has not been updated for 2025.Tonja Myles, a peer support specialist who has worked for years to stamp out overdoses, said the issue extends beyond public health.“Something needs to be done,” Myles said.“Because this is not just a public health issue.It’s a public safety issue.” Myles said she is working with the Department of Corrections to address these issues.“If these numbers are correct, we have a problem,” Myles said.“If they’re incorrect, we still have a problem.” Draper said someone needs to be held accountable for drugs entering the facilities.“I believe that somebody needs to be held accountable, because if the guards aren’t bringing it in, then some of the administration is bringing it in,” she said.“And if they aren’t bringing it in, then some visitors are bringing it in.” Draper said she has not been given clear answers from the Department of Corrections.“Transparency is truth,” she said.“So if there’s nothing to hide, there shouldn’t be any reason why you don’t want to be transparent.If you’re not being forthcoming, that lets us know you’re hiding something or you’re hiding someone.” The WAFB I-TEAM requested an interview with the Department of Corrections about the numbers, but a spokeswoman said the department declined and had nothing to add beyond the numbers it released.The Department of Corrections said it implemented body scanners and X-ray machines at Elayn Hunt and is beefing up searches.Numerous employees, visitors, and an attorney accused of smuggling drugs have been arrested as a result of the crackdowns, which continue.Later, the spokesperson for the Department of Corrections did release a statement after WAFB’s deadline.“In advance of your upcoming report concerning the death of Detroit Draper and the use of Narcan across Louisiana’s state correctional facilities, the Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections would like to provide the following information from our medical staff.Following an autopsy performed by Parish Forensics, Dr.Christopher Ramos determined that Mr.Draper died of natural causes.While the department cannot provide specific information regarding Mr.Draper’s medical history or cause of death due to privacy laws, the official findings do not classify his death as an overdose.Additionally, it is standard medical practice to administer Narcan to an unresponsive individual when the cause of the medical emergency is unknown or cannot be immediately determined.The administration of Narcan does not, by itself, indicate that an overdose has occurred.In correctional and community healthcare settings alike, Narcan is frequently administered as a precautionary measure while medical personnel assess the patient and determine the cause of the medical event.It is also important to note that Narcan administration data should not be interpreted as a count of confirmed overdose incidents.In some cases, Narcan may be administered multiple times to the same individual during a single medical emergency.The department remains committed to providing appropriate medical care to incarcerated individuals, maintaining safe and secure facilities, and preventing the introduction of contraband into correctional institutions.Under Secretary Westcott’s leadership, the department has continued to prioritize efforts to detect, deter, and prosecute individuals responsible for introducing contraband into state correctional facilities,” wrote spokesperson Falon Brown.Click here to report a typo.Please include the headline.Click here to subscribe to our WAFB 9 News daily digest and breaking news alerts delivered 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