Police Respond To Multiple Overdoses Wednesday

Newport police responded Wednesday afternoon to a call about a man possible overdosed on the side of the road near the Fox & Hounds restaurant. 54 year old James Ball was found sitting on the ground slumped over on Fox & Hounds Way. Ball told police he did not need medical attention, but his speech was slurred and he could hardly stand. A baggie with what appeared to e a small amount of meth was found in his pocket. all was placed into custody for public intoxication and possession of a schedule II drug.

Another man was spotted lying in the grass near a property on Lamon’s Circle Wednesday. That man was 59 year old Robert Grooms. A concerned citizen had spotted Grooms lying on his back in the grass and called police. Grooms was able to tell the responding officer that he had taken Gabapentin and Hydrocodone. One dose of Narcan was administered to no avail. Grooms was transported by EMS to the Newport Medical Center to be evaluated.

And another overdosed male in Newport Wednesday. This time police responded to the Dollar General on Cosby Hwy Where they found 31 year old Edward Centers passed out in the passenger seat of a Ford Mustang in the parking lot. A 4 mg dose of Narcan was administered and Centers was removed from the vehicle and place on the ground where the responding officer began sternum rubs until EMS arrived. Centers regained consciousness after EMS showed up…he was transported to the Newport Medical Center.