Increase in Abuse of Prescription Pills Results in More Pharmacy Robberies

Traditionally, cocaine, crack and marijuana cases were the majority of drug cases that appeared in criminal courts in Florida. Over the last several years methamphetamine and pill cases have become much more common. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, prescription painkillers have caused more fatal overdoses than drugs like cocaine and heroine. Painkillers like Hydrocodone, Oxycodone and Oxycontin can be very addictive and cause people to go to great lengths to obtain those drugs. Recently, law enforcement officials have noticed an increase in robberies of pharmacies and other drug stores. At pharmacies, people are targeting prescription drugs, narcotic cough syrup and pseudoephedrine pills that are a key ingredient in the manufacture of methamphetamine.

The Drug Enforcement Agency has reported an 80% increase in pharmacy robberies and burglaries from 2006 to 2010. In 2010, Florida led the nation in the number of pharmacy robberies. Pharmacies and drug stores are also noticing an increase in thefts of these items by employees who either use the drugs or sell them on the street.