Monday morning, the Nicholasville Police Department released a statement regarding the health status of one of their own following a drug-related arrest of two suspects in possession of a controlled substance and drug paraphernalia.

According to the release, Emergency Medical Services was called for the officer, who was taken to the hospital after he became light-headed and began vomiting. These symptoms were displayed after the officer was involved with the arrest, and possibly exposed to either Carfentanyl or Fentanyl, based on a statement from one of the suspects.

Fentanyl, which has grown increasingly common in usage across the region, is especially dangerous to law enforcement officials due to the drug’s ability to be absorbed through the skin of anyone who comes in direct contact with it. In addition, it can also be encountered as a powder, with particles being inadvertently inhaled.

The officer was released from the hospital after six hours. According to the release from the NPD, he never lost consciousness and was not administered Narcan (Naloxone). The officer resumed work the following day.