In light of growing awareness of drug abuse among EMS workers, the National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians has issued a position statement opposing illicit drug use by EMTs, paramedics and other EMS professionals.
The position statement encourages EMS agencies to be proactive in identifying personnel who steal medications or who appear to be using illicit drugs, as well as establishing Employee Assistance Programs to help curtail drug abuse problems.
Substance abuse by EMS workers violates the standards of professional practice and the NAEMT Code of Ethics, which calls for EMS providers to “maintain professional competence and demonstrate concern for the competence of other members of the Emergency Medical Services health care team.”
EMS workers across the country have been accused of tampering with or stealing medications from ambulances. In Indiana, a former paramedic of the year was sentenced to a year in prison after he was found guilty of stealing painkillers.
A Pennsylvania ambulance service faces a long road back in winning the public’s trust after its former president embezzled more than $200,000 and providers were accused of not following proper procedures to secure medications. In 2006, a locked box of sedatives, including morphine and Valium, was reported missing, according to an investigation conducted by the Allentown Morning Call newspaper.
In North Carolina, a paramedic recently was cleared of accusations that he stole morphine from an ambulance drug box, but he is unsure whether he will return to EMS.
“All of these accusations of drug use by EMTs and paramedics – whether or not they are found to be true – cause the public to lose confidence in EMS,” said NAEMT President Jerry Johnston. “We must maintain a zero tolerance policy when it comes to such abuses of the public trust.”
“We hope this position helps create an awareness of the problem (perceived or otherwise) and draws people’s attention – both inside and outside the industry – to the scope of the issue,” Johnston continued. “We also want managers and administrators to recognize the need for resources (EAP’s, etc) that are at their disposal in dealing with this problem.”
“I hope the statement will send out the message that the majority of EMS providers are honest and ethical, and we, as the association representing EMTs, do not approve of dishonest or unethical behavior,” added NAEMT Vice President Connie Meyer. “We do recognize that the nature of our job makes us at risk for substance abuse, and measures should be in place to recognize and deal with that abuse before it affects our patients.”