Opioid Epidemic Fuels Pharmacy Break-Ins

The opioid epidemic is triggering an increase in pharmacy break-ins and the need for better security at these facilities. A wave or break-ins recently occurred in Orange County. A report by Smart Retailing Rx says there are over 7,000 pharmacy break-ins per year with prescription narcotics being the drugs of choice. The reason from drug theft can be for personal use or for resale on the black market.

Burglars are often in and out minutes. An alarm system won't stop the bad guys. Here are tips to discourage theft from happening.

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Placement of Security Cameras. Install visible cameras throughout the pharmacy—inside and out--including behind the counter to catch employee theft. Being watched and filmed may be enough to scare off some thieves and keep employees honest.

Pharmacy Security Guards. One way to stop thieves is to employ onsite security guards. A pharmacy security guard patrols the perimeter of the pharmacy while the pharmacy is closed and is stationed near pharmacists while the pharmacy is open, watching for unusual activity.

Place Drugs In A Safe After Hours. Pharmacies must keep opioids in stock for individuals who are truly in need. Consider placing these narcotics in a safe at the close of each business day. Cold medicines are popular among teenagers because they can have a hallucinatory effect in large quantities. Move these over-the-counter drugs where they can easily be seen or put cameras near them.

In decades past, those addicted to drugs had to buy illegal narcotics from street dealers. With the abuse of legal drugs at epidemic levels, a pharmacy protection and security monitoring plan should incorporated at every pharmacy outlet.

For more security tips, go to https://www.AccessControlSecurity.com.