Ambulance Victoria officers trafficked, stole, misused drugs, IBAC report finds

Ambulance officers have trafficked, stolen and misused potent and addictive prescription drugs, Victoria’s watchdog finds.

An investigation revealed Ambulance Victoria paramedics in the Barwon South West region were involved in misusing drugs.

Victorian ambulance officers have trafficked, stolen and misused some of the most potent and addictive prescription drugs, the state’s corruption watchdog has found.

Victorian paramedics have been caught stealing and trafficking drugs with some even taking intravenous bags to treat hangovers among family and friends.

An investigation revealed Ambulance Victoria paramedics in the Barwon South West region were involved in misusing 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.

While the investigation focused on the Barwon South West region, IBAC found the “conduct and corruption vulnerabilities “ were likely to be widespread across Ambulance Victoria.

IBAC Commissioner Stephen O’Bryan said the community placed a great deal of trust in Paramedics and expected them to act with integrity.

“The misuse of fentanyl is particularly concerning given its increasing use, and association with accidental deaths, in Australia,” Mr O’Bryan said.

“Misappropriation of Ambulance Victoria drugs of dependence can have safety implications for the broader community if drug registers are not accurate, and ambulance vehicles are not stocked with the appropriate medications.”

Ambulance Victoria welcomed the findings of Operation Tone, which it described as an investigation “focused on the recreational use of illicit drugs outside of work by a small group of staff and theft of AV equipment for use outside work.”

Ambulance Victoria CEO Associate Professor Tony Walker said the organisation had zero tolerance for unprofessional behaviour and misconduct.

“We have a trusted position in the community that we need to do our job and we will not tolerate any staff member stepping outside Ambulance Victoria’s high clinical and ethical standards,” Associate Professor Walker said.

“Where people’s private lives have the potential to impact on the service we deliver, we are obliged to act.

“While we’re confident that no patients have been affected and no patient care compromised by the behaviour of a small group of staff described in the IBAC report, the community both expects and deserves better from its ambulance service.”

In summary, IBAC found:

• Two paramedics were involved in the trafficking, use and possession of illicit drugs

• Several paramedics were found to be using illicit drugs

• One paramedic had stolen and used Ambulance Victoria drugs of dependence, including fentanyl and morphine

• Several paramedics were using and sharing Ambulance Victoria drugs, as well as personal medications, including temazepam and oxycodone

• Some paramedics were misappropriating Ambulance Victoria supplies to inappropriately treat themselves, colleagues, family members and friends. This conduct extended to paramedics taking intravenous bags, along with cannulation equipment, to treat the symptoms of hangovers.

With AAP