NCJ Number
57235
Journal
FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin Volume: 48 Issue: 5 Dated: (MAY 1979) Pages: 6-11
Date Published
1979
Length
6 pages
Annotation
THIS ARTICLE ON THE FORGED PRESCRIPTION UNIT OF THE NORFOLK, VA., POLICE FOCUSES ON THE PROBLEMS OF DETECTING AND APPREHENDING DRUG PRESCRIPTION FORGERS AND THE NEED FOR COOPERATION BETWEEN DRUGGISTS AND THE POLICE.
Abstract
CONSISTING OF ONE MALE AND ONE FEMALE INVESTIGATOR, THE NORFOLK FORGED DRUG PRESCRIPTION TEAM WAS FORMED IN 1977 AFTER IT BECAME APPARENT THAT UNIFORMED STREET PATROL OFFICERS WERE UNABLE TO EFFECTIVELY RESPOND TO CALLS FROM DRUGGISTS FACED WITH POSSIBLY FORGED PRESCRIPTIONS. UNIFORMED OFFICERS OFTEN SCARED OFF SUSPECTED FORGERS BEFORE A TRANSACTION COULD BE COMPLETED; THEIR PRESENCE ALSO DISTURBED INNOCENT SHOPPERS. THE FORGERY TEAM INVESTIGATORS ON THE OTHER HAND BLEND EASILY WITH THE STORE SCENE. DRUGGISTS KNOW THE INVESTIGATORS ON SIGHT AND BOTH WORK CLOSELY WITH PHARMACISTS IN DEVELOPING A SYSTEMATIZED APPROACH TO IDENTIFYING AND ARRESTING FORGERY SUSPECTS. THE TEAM HANDLED 107 FORGERY ARREST AND 227 CHARGES IN THE LAST YEAR, COMPARED WITH 9 ARRESTS IN 1976 AND 80 IN 1977, AND HAS INSPECTED THOUSANDS OF PRESCRIPTIONS LOOKING FOR LEADS ON FORGERS. THE TEAM ALSO ALERTS LOCAL PHYSICIANS TO THE COMMON TRICKS DRUG USERS EMPLOY TO OBTAIN DRUGS AND BLANK PRESCRIPTION FORMS. ALTHOUGH IT IS A LESS COMMON PROBLEM, ANOTHER AREA OF CONCERN TO THE TEAM ARE PHYSICIANS WHO SELL DRUGS. SOME DOCTORS PROVIDE PRESCRIPTIONS FOR A PRICE, REGARDLESS OF NEED, AND OFTEN WITH ONLY LITTLE OR NO EXAMINATION AT ALL. IN INVESTIGATING SUCH CASES, TEAM MEMBERS VISIT PHYSICIANS OR PHARMACISTS AND POSE AS PATIENTS. PHOTOS ARE INCLUDED. (KBL)