Victorian paramedics have been caught stealing and sharing fentanyl and other powerful drugs, with some even taking home intravenous bags to treat hangovers among family and friends.
An investigation revealed Ambulance Victoria paramedics in the Barwon South West region, around Geelong, were involved in stealing and trafficking drugs including fentanyl and morphine, the Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission said on Monday.
One paramedic was sacked, eight resigned while under investigation and six are still on the job but have received a formal warning, the commission said.
Five of those who remained were relocated to different regions and were enrolled in an ethics counselling course.
An Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission investigation revealed Ambulance Victoria paramedics have been abusing their access to medicinal drugs and equipment
The investigation found paramedics in the Barwon South West region were involved in stealing and trafficking drugs, including fentanyl and morphine
The sting operation was the result of a two-year long special inquiry.
Dubbed as Operation Tone, it found several workers used and shared Ambulance Victoria drugs, including Temazepam and Oxycodone, while one paramedic took Fentanyl and morphine stolen from Ambulance Victoria supplies.
Others were found to have been using stolen medical equipment, such as intravenous drips and fluids, to treat alcohol-fueled dehydration from heavy drinking.
In one case a paramedic, who was already being watched by Ambulance Victoria, was found with secret pockets sewn into his uniform which he used to steal and smuggle vials of Fentanyl.
Operation Tone found several used and shared Ambulance Victoria drugs, including Temazepam and Oxycodone, while one paramedic took Fentanyl (pictured) and morphine stolen from Ambulance Victoria supplies
One of the offenders confessed to using and supplying illicit drugs, including MDMA, cocaine and ketamine for recreational use with colleagues.
Another used an IV drip to help his son recover after a big night of drinking alcohol, and one admitted to stealing about 90 ampoules of fentanyl.
A witness pleaded guilty to breaching a confidentiality notice and misleading IBAC, and was fined $5000.
The report detailed 27 instances of misappropriations of drugs of dependence among Victorian paramedics since 2012, with the main offences involving fentanyl and morphine.
Some were found to have been using stolen medical equipment, such as intravenous drips and fluids, to treat alcohol-fueled dehydration from heavy drinking
The ambulance service on Monday said a program of random drug testing for paramedics would be implemented immediately.
‘We won’t accept it and we won’t turn a blind eye, Ambulance Victoria CEO Associate Professor Tony Walker said.
‘We have implemented significant improvements to our drug policies, controls and testing to prevent such issues being repeated and these reforms have been acknowledged by IBAC in this report.’
One paramedic was sacked, eight resigned while under investigation and six are still on the job but have received a formal warning. Ambulance Victoria said drug testing would be implemented for its employees