Several medications disappeared from a room in Bartlett Regional Hospital’s Emergency Department last week, and police are looking for the person or persons who took them.
The medications are highly dangerous, according to a Juneau Police Department press release, if they are used improperly. The missing medications — which police say were reported missing by BRH staff around 6:30 p.m. on April 10 — include narcotics, analgesics and sedatives.
These medications, police say, are used to resuscitate patients who can’t breathe on their own. Part of the process of using the medication is to provide oxygen with ventilation to help the patient to breathe.
“Without following the medical procedure fully,” the release reads, “the drugs are very dangerous as they will stop or slow respiratory activity, resulting in death.”
One of the stolen medications is succinylcholine, which is a paralyzing agent. If it isn’t used correctly, police warn, the user could be awake and alert mentally but physically paralyzed and unable to breathe on their own.
The medications were all included in one kit, the release says. In the right hands, these drugs could save a life. If they’re used incorrectly, they could potentially end a life, the release states.
JPD officers are investigating the apparent theft, and anyone with information about the case is encouraged to call JPD at 586-0600, Juneau Crime Line at 523-7700 or on JuneauCrimeline.com. Crime Line is a nonprofit organization that assists police departments in their investigations.
