UPDATE (6:10 p.m. Tuesday, May 30, 2023): Hope Center Ministries has released a statement regarding after two people overdosed at a Jackson County facility last week, one of whom was pronounced dead at a hospital.
The company tells WOWK 13 News two residents of the facility two people were found unresponsive at their facility in Sandyville, West Virginia, on May 24 “showing visible signs of overdose.” Officials say the facility immediately began lifesaving measures until medics arrived on scene.
Both individuals were then taken to Jackson General Hospital where one was later pronounced dead. The other individual was treated, released and taken into police custody.
The company’s full statement is below:
Hope Center Ministries is committed to providing a safe and secure environment for the men and women enrolled in our 12-month faith-based recovery program. On May 24, 2023, two residents were found unresponsive showing visible signs of overdose. Life-saving measures were immediately administered including Naloxone (commonly known as Narcan), a life-saving medication that can reverse an overdose from opioids. Emergency services were immediately contacted and arrived on scene within approximately 10-15 minutes. Emergency responders continued life-saving measures and transported both residents to Jackson General Hospital. One resident was later pronounced deceased and the other was released and placed into police custody. Hope Center has cooperated with law enforcement in their investigation. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family during this difficult time. Hope Center Ministries exists to lead addicts and their families to become fully devoted followers of Christ.
Hope Center Ministries
JACKSON COUNTY, WV (WOWK) — A man’s death at a Sandyville rehab clinic was confirmed to be an overdose, Jackson County, West Virginia, Sheriff Ross Mellinger told 13 News.
The Jackson County Sheriff’s Office said Monday the death happened last week, and authorities then searched Hope Center Ministries in Sandyville.
The sheriff’s office has not identified the man who died or released information surrounding his death, but they said he did not live in Jackson County, West Virginia.
According to the sheriff’s office, the facility is known to be a drug rehabilitation facility. The JCSO said on their Facebook page, the facility “appeared last year under a cloak of non-transparency to the community.”
Along with the death investigation, the sheriff’s office said they are looking into the credibility of the program and its claims. Deputies said they will release more information as it becomes available.
The JCSO said anyone with information regarding the death or the facility to contact their office at 304-373-2290.