More People Abusing Prescription Drugs in Yakima

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Story Published: Nov 6, 2009 at 6:33 PM PST

By Ryan Simms

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YAKIMA -- It's a nationwide epidemic, and prescription drug abuse is on the rise in Yakima.

When Lee Neal isn't bottling medicine for people in need, he's making sure drug addicts don't receive their fix from his pharmacy.

"You just watch what they say, and how they act," he tells Action News reporter Ryan Simms.

But not all of Yakima's pharmacists are so careful. At Sundown M Ranch treatment center, the number of patients addicted to prescription drugs has doubled in the past few years. Easy access is to blame.

After abusing medicine like OxyContin, an increasing number of addicts are turning to other drugs in their quest to get high.

"Heroin use is increasing because the opiate pills become more expensive after time," says Mark Loes, of Sundown M Ranch.

Neal has been a pharmacist for nearly 30 years, and uses several precautions to keep drug addicts out of his store.

"If we have a problem, and somebody is in the area doing something illegally, we will call and ask police to respond," he says.

Keeping an open line with Yakima's doctors is also important.

"Normally, we're familiar with doctor's signatures in the area," says Neal. "We'll make sure it is normal."

But with rehabs still with those who abuse prescription drugs, pharmacists like Neal with continue to stay vigilant.

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