Dangerous drugs stolen from Paramedic Services prompts safety warning

A paramedics bag stolen in Cambridge, Ontario, has prompted a warning from Region of Waterloo Paramedic Services. The stolen bag contains a number of drugs used for medical crises, but does not include narcotics.

Regional paramedics responded to a medical emergency in the King St. E and Dolph St. N area in Cambridge Thursday night. Prior to transporting one patient in serious condition to the hospital the paramedics placed one of their response bags on the floor. Subsequently the response bag was taken from the scene.

QUICK FACTS:

• The bag is orange and is clearly marked with the letters “Waterloo EMS Adult ALS”

• The drugs in the bag are for treating heart, breathing, and diabetic problems

• There are no narcotics in the bag

• If someone was to inject or swallow them thinking they were narcotics they could die

Region of Waterloo Deputy Chief, Michael Adair says that the theft poses a risk to public safety. “If they took the bag looking for narcotics, they wouldn’t have found any. The drugs in there, however, are still very powerful and the effects of swallowing or injecting them could be fatal,” he said.

Waterloo Region Police Services (519-653-7700) and Waterloo Region Paramedic Services (519-575-4400) are asking you to contact them if you find the bag. You can also call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).

Call 911 if you have ingested any of the medications.

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Media contact:  Kirsten Keil-Mehlenbacher, Coordinator, Health Communications, 519-575-4400 ext. 2244