Commission uncovers widespread misuse, sharing of supplies Paramedics steal drugs
MORE than a dozen Victorian paramedics have been caught using and trafficking illicit drugs stolen from ambulance supplies with some even taking intravenous bags to treat their hangovers.
Fifteen ambulance workers from the Barwon South West region, which includes Geelong, have been under investigation for the past two years, the independent Broad- based Anti- corruption Commission reported yesterday.
Several used and shared Ambulance Victoria drugs, including Temazepam and Oxycodone, while one paramedic took Fentanyl and morphine stolen from Ambulance Victoria supplies, the commission said. Some also took intravenous bags to treat their colleagues, family and friends suffering hangovers.
The ambulance service yesterday said a program of random drug testing for paramedics would be implemented immediately, on top of existing targeted testing.
“This is a wake- up call for Ambulance Victoria and it is completely unacceptable,” CEO Associate Professor Tony Walker said.
“This has breached the trust the community have with us but there is no evidence at all that any patients have been impacted by this small group of paramedics.”
The State Government says it has zero tolerance for health workers who misuse drugs or alcohol.
“Ambulance Victoria take this job very seriously, so do I, and the reform that’s necessary will be made,” Premier Daniel Andrews said yesterday.
There has been increased security to limit access to drugs and a Professional Conduct Unit has been established to better detect and prevent drug use, Ambulance Victoria said.
One paramedic was sacked over the scandal and eight resigned while under investigation. Another six are still working but have received a formal warning, the commis- sion said. Five of those who remain were relocated to different regions and enrolled in an ethics counselling course.
While the investigation focused on the Barwon South West region, the commission said their “conduct and corruption vulnerabilities are likely to be more widespread across Ambulance Victoria”.
Professor Walker said it would be fair to say that drug issues may be present in other parts of the state.
Former Victoria Police act- ing chief commissioner Tim Cartwright has been appointed to oversee the implementation of the reforms.
Ambulance Victoria will provide a report on the progress of its new drug and alcohol policies early next year, but the Opposition questioned the timeline.
“Victorian patients cannot wait up to 12 months for further information when there are many questions outstanding,” Opposition health spokeswoman Mary Wooldridge said.