Drug theft from Halifax hospital a suspected inside job

A Halifax hospital ismissing sedativesthat can be used as a date rape drug.

Halifax policesay the Queen Elizabeth II Health Sciences Centrecontacted them on Aug. 14.

Sixteenvials holding fivemillilitreseach of the drug midazolam, a benzodiazepineused as a sedative before anesthesia is administered for surgery, are believed to be stolen from different floors of the Halifax Infirmary.

Police say midazolam can also be used as a date rape drug because it'ssoluble, odourless, tasteless and colourless. It also causesshort term memory loss.

"So during that time that you were under the influence of the drug you would likely have no recollection of what happened the next day," said pharmacist Andrew Buffett.

Police say the vials were stolen one by one fromhospital crash carts found all over the building. Theywere not locked up.

Capital Health spokesperson JohnGillissays they first noticed the thefts Aug. 5 and tried to catch the culprit themselves. When the thefts kept happening, they called police.

He says they believe it was an inside job.

"Aperson who knew what they were looking for would be able to pull that off I guess," he said.

Apolice release on the matter says even if someone drank alcohol or willingly took drugs, they are not at fault for being assaulted.

"You cannot ask for it or cause it to happen," says the release.

Police offeredtips tofollow to reduce the risk of someone slipping something into a drink:

• Know where your drink is coming from: watch your drink being poured by a professional bar staff or pour your drink yourself. Dont share drinks or accept a drink from someone you dont know.
• Watch your drink: keep your drink with you at all times, even when you go to the bathroom.
• If you realize youve left your drink unattended, pour it out.
• Don't drink anything that tastes, smells, or looks strange.
• If you feel drunk and haven't drunk any alcohol, or, if you feel like the effects of drinking alcohol are stronger than usual, or if you feel you have been drugged, get help right away.
• When you are out drinking, don't leave with strangers or people you don't feel comfortable with.

Police urge people to seek medical help if they believe they have been drugged orsexually assaulted.

The Avalon Centre's sexual assault nurse examiners are available 24 hours a day at 902-425-0122.