Watson Lake police are warning residents to be on the lookout for potentially lethal drugs on the street after a break-in at the town's hospital last night.

According to the RCMP, two women smashed a locked cupboard in the emergency room and made off with a handful of vials containing heart and allergy medications.

"They went to emergency for treatment," Sgt. Paul Thalhofer told the Star today.

"They were left alone for a few minutes - which is not unusual - and when the nurse returned she saw the (drug) case was broken into."

A quick count showed eight drug vials were missing.

In the meantime, he said, the two suspects had left "rather abruptly."

He could not say whether the women had faked their medical emergencies to get into the hospital.

"Alcohol was definitely a factor," he said.

The two female suspects, who are both known to police, were arrested later that evening, but some of the drugs are still at large.

"We recovered three broken vials," Thalhofer said, "but because they were broken, we don't know which of the eight are still out there."

The three vials were found near the local elementary school, and police were at both Watson Lake schools this morning to alert teachers to the drugs' dangerous potential.

"According to my information from the hospital, some could be lethal if ingested," Thalhofer said.

The vials, all containing liquid, are made of clear glass or plastic, with rubber stoppers.

The eight vials contained:

• Adenosine, a drug used to ease the effects of some respiratory diseases;

• Diazepam, commonly known as Valium;

• Benadryl, used to ease hay fever and other allergic reactions;

• Epinephrine, commonly known as EpiPen, used against heart attacks, severe allergic reactions to wasp and bee stings, and life-threatening asthma attacks;

• Propranolol, used to lower high blood pressure;

• Verapril and Procainamide, both used for irregular heart beats and heart flutters;

• Digoxin, also used for irregular heart beat. Produced from the digitalis plant, this drug can cause severe allergic reactions and heart attacks.

Thalhofer said the hospital has never had a theft of this kind and is considering expanded security measures.

Both women were released.

One promised to appear in court in August to answer charges of theft and mischief, while charges against the other woman are still being considered.