Nassau County - Long Island, New York

Mangano Joins Schumer In A Call For A New Approach To Protect Local Drug Stores

Nassau County Executive Edward P. Mangano (left) today joined United States Senator Charles E. Schumer Mangano joins Schumer in a call for a new apprach to protect local drug stores(2nd left) as he called for a new, three pronged approach to protecting local drug stores from the growing problem of pharmacy theft, due to the increased addiction of prescription pain killers like Oxycotin nationwide. Senator Schumer’s plan requires the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) to issue guidelines and best practices to help local pharmacies establish better security measures for the protection of prescription narcotics and to act as a deterrent to would-be robbers.

Additionally, the plan calls on the DEA to share information the agency collects on pharmaceutical theft and crime with local law enforcement, to allow the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Assistance (HIDTA) task force to create an accessible database to help identify trends and patterns related to prescription drug crime in the region. Senator Schumer’s proposal also calls for increasing the maximum sentence for pharmacy robberies and their related crimes to 20 years, per offense.

“The statistics are startling, 75 Nassau residents died in 2010 as a result of prescription Opiates,” said County Executive Mangano. “That’s an average of more than one a week. National statistics provided by the CDC indicate that just as many people die each year of prescription Opiates as they do in automobile accidents. Nationally and here on Long Island, prescription drug abuse has become an epidemic. Accordingly, I sent letters to all local pharmacists containing safety and security tips and a listing of treatment resource centers for drug addicts seeking recovery. Those suffering from prescription drug addiction become desperate and find many ways to get the drug; however, pharmacists can better protect themselves and care for their patients through preventative measures that avert drug diversion. Working together with all levels of government, not just law enforcement, but treatment and prevention as well, we can and will make a difference.”