Prescription Drug Pick Up: Protect Yourself at Your Local Pharmacy

Many people rely on the prescription medication in their day-to-day lives. What many of them do not know, is that there are an increasing amount of reports that indicate prescription painkillers are being stolen from consumers at their local pharmacy. Senior communities are usually more high risk. Desperate drug dealers know that seniors are more likely to need pain medication on a frequent basis.

So what drugs are on the dealer's list? To name a few OxyContin, Vicoden, Valium, Percocet, and derivatives of morphine. These are highly addictive medications that can only be received with a prescription. So what can you do to protect yourself and your family when visiting the pharmacy?

Observe Your Surroundings
The minute you exit your vehicle, look for 'watchers.' These can simply be average people who seem to take a keen interest in people coming in and out of the pharmacy. Report any suspicious activity to the staff on duty. Take it a step further, ask the staff about reports of people stealing prescription drugs. You may have to change locations if you are in a high risk area.

Use the Drive-Thru (if available)
Local Walgreen's have a drive thru feature available. Check to see if this is available in your area. Practice closing your windows and locking your doors. It is highly unlikely, that someone will make any attempt to get into your car. As always, be prepared to drive off if you feel threatened.

Avoid Late Nights
Do not go to the pharmacy at night as this is a high risk time. Officers in my local neighborhood have advised that it is unsafe to pick up prescription drugs at night. Plan ahead and try to get all of your medications before dusk.

Opt for Home Delivery
Many companies offer home delivery. You can opt for this instead of running the risk of being robbed. Call your insurance company to find out if they have such programs. It can be beneficial and will give you peace of mind. Note, there may be additional fees if you opt for home delivery.

Share this with those whom you think may be at risk. It is becoming increasingly prevalent, but goes highly unreported. You can also call your local police station to see if this is happening in your area. Upon completion of this article I will explore the other risks of buying street medication.

Personal Experience
On 06/02/08 a drug dealer was caught outside of my place of work. He was arrested for selling prescription drugs to minors. After speaking with a city officer, I was told that there is a trend called doctor-shopping. Individuals who have undergone surgeries and require pain medication request excess pain killers from unsuspecting doctors. They then sell these medications on the market for a higher price.

The government is trying to put systems in place to find high risk individuals who are always seeking out prescription medications.