Raids threatening addict treatment
Figures compiled by the Irish Pharmaceutical Union (IPU) show there have been 12 reported raids since the beginning of this year.
This compares to eight raids in the preceding three months, between October and December 2004.
The chemists targeted provide the heroin substitute methadone to addicts under the Methadone Treatment Scheme.
Reported incidents since January include:
verbal threats, including threats of having a firearm
an armed robbery, with the raider yielding a gun
staff threatened with an iron bar
syringe attacks
“Raids on pharmacies are on the increase and it is the community pharmacist who is bearing the brunt of the drug problem,” said Richard Collis of the IPU.
“We are playing a critical role in helping marginalised people back into mainstream society and most patients on the programme cause us no problems, however there are a small minority whose actions are undermining our confidence in the programme.”
Mr Collis said the IPU was concerned for the safety of its members, other pharmacy staff, patients and members of the public.
He said there had been a number of raids on pharmacies in the north Dublin area in particular, though attacks were also reported in Meath and Louth.
He said raiders were not concerned about hiding their identity.
“CCTV is not deterring them and many of those who commit these crimes are repeat offenders known to the pharmacist.”
Mr Collis said pharmacies were not only being targeted for methadone, but also benzodiazepines (minor tranquillisers) and cash.
The IPU said there was, as yet, no formal indication that any of the 314 chemists involved in the scheme might pull out.
The representative body said participants receive a once-off grant of €6,000, which is used to provide security on site.
The IPU are calling for more gardaí on the beat in areas where the pharmacies are based, stiffer penalties for those involved in the crime, tighter bail conditions for offenders and a greater contribution to the costs of private security.
