Deadly Drug-Soaked Paper Smuggled Into Prisons Nationwide

Synthetic cannabinoids and opioids hidden in letters, cards, and books are causing fatal overdoses among inmates

Apr. 7, 2026 at 9:18pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of a shredded piece of paper with faint traces of an unknown substance, lit by a harsh, direct camera flash against a pitch-black background, conceptually representing the dangerous drug-soaked paper smuggling trend in prisons.The smuggling of drug-soaked paper into prisons has become a growing public health crisis, with fatal overdoses linked to the concealed delivery of powerful synthetic drugs.Chicago Today

Synthetic cannabinoids and other dangerous drugs are being smuggled into U.S. jails and prisons by soaking common paper items like letters, greeting cards, and books. These drug-laced papers have been linked to a growing number of fatal overdoses among incarcerated individuals across the country, raising serious concerns about the safety of both inmates and staff.

Why it matters

The issue of drug-soaked paper smuggling highlights the ongoing challenges correctional facilities face in preventing the flow of illicit substances into prisons. With the potent mix of synthetic cannabinoids, opioids, and other novel psychoactive drugs found on these papers, the risk of overdose and accidental exposure is extremely high, putting inmates, staff, and even visitors at risk.

The details

Reports have revealed that synthetic cannabinoids, which are designed to mimic the effects of THC, are increasingly being smuggled into correctional facilities on common paper items. These drug-laced papers often contain a 'potpourri' of synthetic cannabinoids mixed with other dangerous drugs like nitazene opioids. In many cases, the papers are laced with a combination of several different substances, making them extremely potent and unpredictable. The drug-soaked papers have been found to cause severe health issues, including central nervous system depression and bradycardia.

  • In April 2023, Cook County Jail in Chicago implemented a ban on paper in response to the growing trend of drug smuggling.
  • In 2023, Cook County Jail reported 5 overdose deaths, 3 of which involved synthetic cannabinoids.
  • In July 2024, Cook County seized 3 pieces of paper suspected to be laced with up to 10 different dangerous synthetic drugs.

The players

Cook County Jail

A correctional facility in Chicago that houses nearly 5,000 detainees and has reported increasing cases of drug-soaked paper smuggling.

The Center for Forensic Science Research & Education (CFSRE)

An agency that has issued alerts about the growing trend of synthetic cannabinoids and other dangerous drugs being smuggled into prisons on drug-soaked paper.

Dr. Priscilla Ware

The medical director of Cermak Health Services who oversees Cook County Correctional Health and has warned about the seriousness of the drug-soaked paper issue.

Tom Dart

The Cook County Sheriff who has spoken about the continued problem of drug-soaked paper smuggling, even as overdose deaths have decreased.

Dr. Adam Scioli

The chief medical officer of Caron Treatment Centers in Pennsylvania who has cautioned that the drug-soaked paper issue extends beyond just prisons.

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What they’re saying

“I cannot stress how serious this is. People are dying from this product every single day when they use it.”

— Dr. Priscilla Ware, Medical Director of Cermak Health Services

“Unfortunately, it has been common to see test results for drug-soaked paper come back with two or three dangerous drugs, and we know that the people who produce this paper often included toxic chemicals, such as insecticides and rat poison, in their 'recipes'. That was alarming enough. But to see these results come back with a half dozen or more dangerous synthetic drugs – any one of which could be fatal on its own – is terrifying.”

— Tom Dart, Cook County Sheriff

“Drug‑soaked paper allows extremely powerful substances — synthetic cannabinoids, opioids and other novel compounds — to be delivered invisibly, without smell or obvious residue, making detection difficult in many environments. It represents a broader and very troubling shift in how highly potent synthetic drugs are being distributed, concealed and consumed across multiple settings.”

— Dr. Adam Scioli, Chief Medical Officer of Caron Treatment Centers

What’s next

Cook County Jail plans to continue implementing measures to detect and prevent the smuggling of drug-soaked papers, including expanding the use of advanced screening technologies. Correctional facilities nationwide are also working to address this growing issue through increased staff training, inmate education, and collaboration with law enforcement and public health experts.

The takeaway

The dangerous trend of smuggling synthetic drugs into prisons via drug-soaked paper highlights the ongoing battle against the opioid crisis and the need for a comprehensive, multi-pronged approach to address substance abuse and protect the safety of incarcerated individuals, staff, and the broader community.