Pharmacies Across the US Targeted by Criminals Addicted to Prescription Drugs
We've noticed a reoccurring crime across the US--pharmacies being robbed of prescription drugs. It's no secret the prescription drug addiction epidemic of the US is growing. But, now as it seems as the US begins to crack down on prescription abuse, the addicts are getting more desperate, robbing and assaulting pharmacies and pharmacists to get their fix. According to the US Drug Enforcement Administration, armed robberies at pharmacies rose 81% between 2006 and 2010.
It appears these criminals are turning out to be more than just a typical crime ridden drug junkie. The every day person may be given a false sense of security that a prescription drug is less harmless than a street drug because they are, after all, prescribed by a medical doctor. These drugs include (but are not limited to) prescribed painkillers like Oxycontin and Vicodin; muscle relaxers like Xanax or Valium; ADD or ADHD medications like Dexedrin, Adderall or Ritalin. Just think-how many people do you know who have taken a prescribed painkiller or are on some sort of medication for their ADD? You probably have taken an addictive painkiller yourself if you've ever had major surgery or your wisdom teeth taken out.
Recently, 40 miles south of Boston, the bassist of the band Coheed and Cambria robbed a pharmacy of prescription painkillers just hours before his show later that evening.
In Clarksville, TN a man was arrested on Ft Campbell (an Army base) for robbing a local Walgreens pharmacy. The police department did not confirm or deny whether the man was in fact a service member of the Army, but he was arrested on base. This arrest was made for one of three robberies that had occurred over two days.
Robbing a pharmacy is a felony and, depending on the state in which the robbery occurred, is a minimum of 5-10 yrs in prison. The type of pharmacies being targeted are your local Rite Aid, Walgreens, CVS, Safeway, Giant, etc.
A pharmacy isn't set up like your local bank. There is no bullet prof glass protecting the pharmacist from the criminal. There are camera's to catch criminals in the act, but typically there are no emergency or panic buttons to push like in a bank. And, while banks are more focused on robberies, retail stores with pharmacies are more interested in loss prevention, or theft, of the many other items in the store.
This begs the question- should robbery prevention become a more of a priority for these stores? Sure, theft proves to lead to loss of billions of dollars over a years time for a retail company, but robberies are more dangerous than a theft (especially considering the many thefts that go unnoticed) especially if the criminal assaults an employee in the process of robbing a pharmacy.
Concerned about the safety of your pharmacy or a pharmacy a loved one frequents? Contact your local PD and the store and ask them the preventative measures they are taking. Let them know your concerns.
Drugs aren't worth it. If you know someone with a prescription drug habit, don't ignore it. Get them help before it's too late.
Be sure to sign up for your local crime alerts at SpotCrime or MyLocalCrime to learn about what occurs in your area. Stay aware, stay safe!
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| Recent crimes involving a pharmacy on the US SpotCrime map |
It appears these criminals are turning out to be more than just a typical crime ridden drug junkie. The every day person may be given a false sense of security that a prescription drug is less harmless than a street drug because they are, after all, prescribed by a medical doctor. These drugs include (but are not limited to) prescribed painkillers like Oxycontin and Vicodin; muscle relaxers like Xanax or Valium; ADD or ADHD medications like Dexedrin, Adderall or Ritalin. Just think-how many people do you know who have taken a prescribed painkiller or are on some sort of medication for their ADD? You probably have taken an addictive painkiller yourself if you've ever had major surgery or your wisdom teeth taken out.
Recently, 40 miles south of Boston, the bassist of the band Coheed and Cambria robbed a pharmacy of prescription painkillers just hours before his show later that evening.
In Clarksville, TN a man was arrested on Ft Campbell (an Army base) for robbing a local Walgreens pharmacy. The police department did not confirm or deny whether the man was in fact a service member of the Army, but he was arrested on base. This arrest was made for one of three robberies that had occurred over two days.
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| Recent Walgreens robbery location in Clarksville, TN |
Robbing a pharmacy is a felony and, depending on the state in which the robbery occurred, is a minimum of 5-10 yrs in prison. The type of pharmacies being targeted are your local Rite Aid, Walgreens, CVS, Safeway, Giant, etc.
A pharmacy isn't set up like your local bank. There is no bullet prof glass protecting the pharmacist from the criminal. There are camera's to catch criminals in the act, but typically there are no emergency or panic buttons to push like in a bank. And, while banks are more focused on robberies, retail stores with pharmacies are more interested in loss prevention, or theft, of the many other items in the store.
This begs the question- should robbery prevention become a more of a priority for these stores? Sure, theft proves to lead to loss of billions of dollars over a years time for a retail company, but robberies are more dangerous than a theft (especially considering the many thefts that go unnoticed) especially if the criminal assaults an employee in the process of robbing a pharmacy.
 |
| Recent Baltimore crimes involving pharmacies |
Concerned about the safety of your pharmacy or a pharmacy a loved one frequents? Contact your local PD and the store and ask them the preventative measures they are taking. Let them know your concerns.
Drugs aren't worth it. If you know someone with a prescription drug habit, don't ignore it. Get them help before it's too late.
Be sure to sign up for your local crime alerts at SpotCrime or MyLocalCrime to learn about what occurs in your area. Stay aware, stay safe!
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