THE SCOURGE OF OXYCONTIN

A new system which allows doctors, pharmacists and police to access
prescription records via the Internet may put a dent in the drug abuse
problem. But it is no defense against a thief, possibly armed with a gun
walking into the local drug store and demanding drugs.

Such was the case Thursday when a man who said he had a gun entered a
Flemingsburg pharmacy and demanded OxyContin. Unable to determine if what
he had in his pocket was really a gun or only his hand, the pharmacist
wisely turned over the drugs.

If there was ever any doubt that the scourge of OxyContin had made its way
into our area, the robbery should dispel that notion.

Over the past decade the narcotic has increasingly become the drug of
choice in eastern Kentucky and the trend is working its way westward.

In some parts of eastern Kentucky, break-ins at drug stores by those
seeking OxyContin have become so frequent that pharmacy owners have
installed steel vaults in which to store the drug. The stores have also
added steel bars to windows and placed safety glass between those working
behind the counter and customers.

It would be wonderful if we could confidently say Thursday's robbery was a
fluke. That could be the case but it is more likely that other attempts to
obtain OxyContin illegally are on horizon as the drug becomes more
difficult to get in other areas of the state.

As fate would have it, Flemingsburg's police department is scheduled to be
evaluated in June for its preparedness for either a natural disaster or
criminal activity, making it an opportune time for the department to beef
up its drug enforcement efforts.

We certainly aren't suggesting that Police Chief Danny Carpenter and his
staff aren't doing a good job. In fact, we believe quite the opposite is
true. But any agency, faced with a new task, is well advised to put extra
effort into preparing for that task. This assessment will give the police
department a chance to brush up on its procedures and provide it with more
information to pass along to those directly in the line of fire, such as
pharmacists.

As drugs, particularly OxyContin, becomes more of an issue locally, we
encourage police departments throughout the area to arm themselves and
their communities with the ammunition needed to fight off this latest threat.