UNION COUNTY, N.C. — A former Union County paramedic is the subject of an investigation into missing medication at Union County EMS.
Channel 9 confirmed Thursday the SBI and the North Carolina Board of Pharmacy are investigating the incidents involving Joey Dahl.
Officials with Carolinas Healthcare System said Dahl was employed at Union County EMS from September 2004 to May 2 of this year, but would not say if he resigned or was fired.
Authorities said they were investigating Dahl in reference to a rash of drugs stolen from ambulances.
Multiple sources told Eyewitness News Dahl was suspected of stealing morphine from drug boxes in the ambulances and replacing it with saline.
One pharmacist told Channel 9 that unknowingly injecting patients in an ambulance with saline could be dangerous.
"The danger is not in what they're getting but in what they're not getting," said Monroe pharmacist Alan Kennedy.
Kennedy said morphine acts as a relaxing agent during trauma and if patients didn't receive it, it could have a detrimental effect.
"Someone could go into shock, it could kill them, could potentially be a life-threatening situation," Kennedy said.
Eyewitness News sent CHS officials a long list of questions about how the thefts were uncovered, their drug screening policies, and Dahl's record on the job. Officials would not answer any questions, but sent a statement that read, "We are fully cooperating with authorities from the SBI who are focusing their investigation on Mr. Dahl."
Union County EMS would be required by law to notify local authorities and the N.C. Office of EMS about any missing medication.
The Union County Sheriff's Office and Monroe Police said Thursday they had not been notified of any possible thefts at the agency.
CHS officials also declined comment on questions regarding when and if they notified the proper authorities.