Highly dangerous drugs stolen from FL Paramedics

[usalsfyre]

The DEA will probably be interested in why the Ketamine wasn't in a double locked container.

Other than that nothing is controlled. The etomidate would be a poor choice to get high off of, and the paralytics are obvious.

[Just Plain Ruff]

The DEA will probably be interested in why the Ketamine wasn't in a double locked container.

Other than that nothing is controlled. The etomidate would be a poor choice to get high off of, and the paralytics are obvious.

But the thing is that most criminals who would steal this probably have a better idea of what these meds do than some medics coming out of school.

[romneyfor2012]

It probably was under double lock, but every Paramedic who ever worked there past and present, probably had a key to the box, and every ambulance service in the state probably has the same lock on the cabinet door as most tend to order from the regional ambulance manufacturere, I know I have 1250, 751, TM 211, and an EF320 key on my personal key ring right now.  Even if they did not have the drug box key, it would be easy to steal from the unit and then bust it open later.  How many times do you walk by an ER ramp and see an ambulance with all doors wide open after running a critical call, often with the drug box still sitting on the floor/bench ?

"Locks are for honest people, they never stop a thief".This was most likely one of our own who stole it.

Edited December 2, 2011 by romneyfor2012

[tcripp]

"Locks are for honest people, they never stop a thief".

Ha ha.

In a previous life, I was an Event Manager. We'd put zip ties on our cases which contained thousands of dollars in computer equipment. Why a zip tie and not a lock? We were just keeping out the honest ones. Anyone else who really wanted in one...a lock wouldn't stop them.

[Bernhard]

It probably was under double lock, but every Paramedic who ever worked there past and present, probably had a key to the box,

Here they are on the ambulances key ring, handing over is checked on every shift change. No medic has an own one.

Even if they did not have the drug box key, it would be easy to steal from the unit and then bust it open later.

Our controlled drug boxes (morphine and fentanyl, not ketamine, that is not a controlled substance here) are installed in the ambulance and can't be withdrawn without a key. The key unlocks the box in it's bracket AND the box itself.

"Locks are for honest people, they never stop a thief".This was most likely one of our own who stole it.

Often, punishment is based on needed "criminal energy". If it's too easy for them to get to the drug, then they may get away cheap. If they have to break something or need heavy tools and some genius tricks, they may face more prison/fines.

I remember two breakins on our EMS equipment, both when ambulances were in the station: once a remote station without duty staff was accidentally left open by maintenance staff, someone simply took the opportunity, stepped in on pure daylight in a crowded street and got two ampules of diazepam out, including syringe and needle, leaving them on the desk after usage. Police collected it but they never found someone. The other incident was more violent, our staff noticed action outside and checked, then suddenly were attacked by the thieves. Nothing was stolen and noone was severly hurt, but unfortunately the thieves could get away despite immedeate police tracing.