By CHRISTINE COX
The Hamilton Spectator (Ontario, Canada)
Halton police and Halton EMS (Emergency Medical Services) staff are investigating the disappearance of narcotics from an ambulance stationed at Willowbrook Road.
The missing drugs includes six vials of morphine, two vials of midazolam, and one vial of diazepam. These sedatives pose a potential health risk to anyone who uses them without a prescription and proper medical direction. Adverse effects could range from minor dizziness to a cardiac arrest.
Jim King, director of Halton Region EMS, said the loss was discovered at the station Tuesday during a medications count that is done periodically. There would normally be at least 12 hours between checks.
“We are following up with where the vehicle went and what it did on that particular day,” King said.
“Our big concern is for the public,” King said, citing the potential harm the sedatives could cause, especially if they were taken together.
“We want to get the message out that if someone has them, the best thing they could do would be to arrange to have them returned somehow.”
There are usually two paramedics with each ambulance. King said that if an ambulance is called to a home, the paramedics take their equipment — including the kit containing medications — into the home with them.
Paramedics are allowed to take breaks without returning to the station, but they are not supposed to leave the ambulance unattended.
Anyone finding the narcotics should call Halton police at 905-634-1831, ext. 2315, Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477, or Halton EMS at 1-866-442-5866, ext. 7111.