I used to work at CVS as a pharm tech. I made a very stupid decision to take some pills one evening.

About a week or two later I got called into the office and questioned about it. I was told to talk to the loss prevention guy and things would be a lot easier for me. Being honest would prevent the DEA from being involved in the situation. So I admitted taking some pills, some of which were narcotics, but when the pills' worth were all calculated up, the dollar amount they were worth was less than $100.

I filled out a statement answering some questions and basically explained what happened, and a cop was there to do a police report. I wasn't arrested, was not given any paperwork, but they told me I would receive court papers in the mail. Looking back, I should have asked more questions that evening but was all distraught at the time.

Ever since, I have been trying to contact the loss prevention guy and the officer, and have gotten no return phone calls. I went to the local police department to get a copy of the police report and the guy at the front desk couldn't find one in the system, only a note saying "follow up" where it should have been in the computer? But I was never questioned about anything before this incident, so I thought that was weird. The guy up front said that he would leave a note for the officer to call me, but he never did.

It's been about two weeks since I lost my job and would really like for someone to return a call and let me know what exactly I'm being charged with. Some questions I have are:

- how long until I get court papers?
- any ideas what I will be getting charged with?
- possible consequences of this?
- can I ever expect to work in the health care industry ever again? (being that I've been going to school for years for medical-related careers)

Someone please give me some kind of info on this horrible situation I've gotten myself into.

I don't think you will get anywhere asking. There are hundreds of cases in front of yours and some will be put in front of others based on seriousness, the DA's office, lawyers, employers, companies who press charges. It's even possible that the police are still waiting for the report from the CVS, or they are waiting for the DA's office. I'm not sure it's in your best interest to keep asking. Your future as a pharm tech is over anyway. If you are concerned about your future in all medical fields, hire a lawyer, but it's quite possible that you will have to find another field. The dollar value of what you took is not relevant.

What did u mean by "I'm not sure its in my best interest to keep asking"? I def plan on hiring a lawyer, but can't until I know what I'm being charged with, u know? And when I was in the office they made it a point to go back and get a total $ amount of the drugs taken. Why would they have done this if it was not relevant?

What did u mean by "I'm not sure its in my best interest to keep asking"? I def plan on hiring a lawyer, but can't until I know what I'm being charged with, u know? And when I was in the office they made it a point to go back and get a total $ amount of the drugs taken. Why would they have done this if it was not relevant?


This is incorrect - you know you need an Attorney. Retain one now, before you are charged, and let him see if he can stop charges from being filed.

My late husband owned Pharmacies. DEA will be called in - this is beyond what the store can control AND (particularly now that you've posted the name of the chain) CVS can be in very serious trouble, including losing its license, if it is NOT reported. This is not a simple, small matter and the dollar amount does not matter. You must be aware of the checks and balances involved when drugs are dispensed.

Has the supervising Pharmacist been fired or suspended?

With this record I cannot imagine anyone will hire you to work anyplace where "pills" are involved.

(greenie, JudyKayTee)
The DEA definitely will be called? No chance this particular CVS wants to let it drop even at the risk of getting in trouble themselves? E.g. they have some other reason they don't want the DEA involved?

I was thinking along the lines of letting sleeping dogs lie. Not possible?

This is the deal, it can take a few weeks, just for them to do the report that will go to the Sgt, to the Shift supervisor, to the records department that will then get sent to the DA.

Depending on the level of crime, it can take a few weeks at the DA for either them to investigate more or charge you with a crime. It is all sort of open as to what they can charge, since it was a controlled substance that was taken.

Yes I agree most likely a DEA report will have to be done, but since the local police are handling it, I doubt any Federal Action will be taken.

And if I read this right, the police officer was not asking the questions, so he did not have to read you your rights, since this was being done by the store loss prevention who do not have to advise you of your rights. You sound set up from the min you walked into their office.

The correct attorney may get with the DA early ( esp if they have good contacts at the office) and see about a early plea deal to save everyone time.

Future notes, the store, and even the police officer and the DA can lie to you about how serious it is, and about what they will do if you give a confession. They are allowed to lie and trick you into confession. So do not say another word to anyone without your attorney first.

(greenie, JudyKayTee)
The DEA definitely will be called? No chance this particular CVS wants to let it drop even at the risk of getting in trouble themselves? E.g., they have some other reason they don't want the DEA involved?

I was thinking along the lines of letting sleeping dogs lie. Not possible?



In NY where Pharmacists have a responsibility to report where every controlled substance "pill" goes (and has to prove it by furnishing copies of prescriptions and has to provide inventory accounts, sometimes supervised by DEA agents) yes, it MUST be reported. CVS doesn't need this to come to their attention via the Court system - it's a whole separate issue.

That particular Pharmacy (depending on corporate structure) could lose its license. The supervising Pharmacist could be fined and suspended.

Phamacists can't hand out medication to family and friends. Techs can't, either.

This is very serious, a very serious problem. I am aware of a NY Pharmacist who lost his license after he gave TWO valiums to a Tech who was going through a rough period in her life - got caught on the cameras installed in the pharmacy.

I def plan on hiring a lawyer, but can't until I know what I'm being charged with, u know? Hello H:

No, I don't know, and you don't either.. Hire one now, and STOP talking to the police.

excon

Hello H:

No, I don't know, and you don't either.. Hire one now, and STOP talking to the police.

excon



Right - and I question the judgment of including the name of the pharmacy chain in this post. Not necessary and the powers that be at CVS won't have to be geniuses to figure out who/what/where this is.

Not showing good judgment.