Prescription drugs stolen from Athens pharmacy

by Natalie Myers
Staff Writer

The recent burglary of a local pharmacy has made some people question why someone stole prescription drugs.

Bobby Jo Workman, manager of Fruth's Pharmacy, 8978 United Lane, reported a break-in Jan. 30, according to an Athens County Sheriff's Office news release. Two holes were cut into the rear of the building, and the store alarm was disabled.

"The major amount (of medication) taken was oxycoton," said Sgt. Allen Flickinger of the Athens County Sheriff's Office. "We've had break-ins of pharmacies before, but this is the first time we've gotten hit this big."

People might steal prescription drugs for many reasons, said Mike Roach, director of loss prevention for Fruth's Pharmacy.

"A person who is addicted could steal drugs rather than going to their doctor for them," Roach said. "A person who is a dealer could get from $10 to $15 for a pill."

Mike Tenoglia, pharmacist at The Prescription Shop, 540 W. Union, said the pharmacy had not been robbed or burglarized for 15 to 18 years. But he said he could see why people would target pharmacies.

"Drugs could be stolen for street value or abuse potential," he said.

Hudson Health Center, 2 Health Center Dr., was broken into a few times in the late '70s and early '80s, said Dan Hudson, pharmacist at Hudson.

"Sometimes they're after the drugs for themselves, and sometimes they want to sell them," he said. "We don't stock many narcotics. Pain killers are what people who rob a pharmacy usually are after."

The health center has taken extra precautions against break-ins, Hudson said. Bars on the windows and scheduling custodial workers on the night shift act as protection.

But despite security efforts, the perpetrators found a way to get inside Fruth's Pharmacy.

Evidence revealed they had poked a hole into the metal frame of the building, Flickinger said. Then they sheared and peeled the frame back and knocked out the drywall in order to gain entry.

"Once they cut the phone line, they knew they had time," he said. "There was no backup alarm system."

The case still is under investigation, Flickinger said.

Roach said the company is researching options to improve the present alarm system.

He said two attempts to break into the Athens chain were made during the past several years. About four months ago, the pharmacy's phone line was cut.

Flickinger said pharmacies in other areas have been burglarized using the same method of entry. Pharmacies without backup systems are some of those that were targeted.

"We aren't the only ones being hit," he said. "In November of last year a Proctorville (Ohio) pharmacy lost $13,000 of prescription medication."