Pubdate: Tue, 24 Sep 2002 Source: Kingsport Times-News (TN) Copyright: 2002 Kingsport Publishing Corporation Contact: http://www.timesnews.net/index.cgi Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1437 Author: Becky Campbell, Police reporter Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/oxycontin.htm (Oxycontin/Oxycodone) ROBBERIES PROMPT CAVE'S DRUG TO STOP SELLING OXYCONTIN Armed Guard Now Posted at Local Drug Store KINGSPORT - Hershel Cave has had enough. After four armed robberies by drug-seekers - two in the past 10 days - he's taken their target off the shelves and hired an armed guard. Cave, who owns Cave's Drug on John B. Dennis Highway, said the problem is getting out of hand. "We'll no longer carry OxyContin on the premises," Cave said. "We're going to put in extra security and extra cameras and put a sign in the window saying we won't carry it." A uniformed off-duty Sullivan County Sheriff's Department deputy sat at the register counter Monday, observing as customers came by to conduct business. Cave hopes the presence will prevent what happened Saturday when a knife-wielding man entered the store and demanded drugs. As in the past, employees complied with the man's demands. Cave said he and other area pharmacists have also pledged to get together a "sizable reward" for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for the robberies. "This has to be brought to a halt. This is rampant here," he said. Cave said he believes that the more than $15,000 worth of OxyContin stolen from his pharmacy in the past year has been sold on the streets. And more OxyContin was stolen from another pharmacy Monday. A man disguised by a bandanna entered Bloomingdale Drug Center about 3 p.m. and demanded drugs. He then stole an employee's vehicle. That method of operation was also used in the past two robberies at Cave's Drugs. Cave said it is important to him to keep his employees and customers safe. "I'm going to protect the employees, and I'm going to make sure my customers are protected," he said. "I've taken the appropriate steps to make sure the flow of business keeps going. Hopefully, the customers will understand," he said. - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake