Pubdate: Fri, 02 Jan 2004 Source: Florida Times-Union (FL) Copyright: 2004 The Florida Times-Union Contact: http://www.times-union.com/aboutus/letters_to_editor.html Website: http://www.times-union.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/155 Author: Paul Pinkham COUNTY PHARMACIST ARRESTED Hydrocodone Tablets Missing From Duval Health Department By PAUL PINKHAM The Times-Union A pharmacist at the Duval County Health Department, where more than 8,000 hydrocodone tablets have disappeared since July, has been arrested on narcotics charges after police said a hidden video recorded him stealing the drug. Russell S. Lawler, 53, remained in the Duval County jail Thursday with bail set at $35,000. He is charged with four counts of drug trafficking and one each of possession, grand theft and falsifying pharmacy records. Police arrested Lawler on New Year's Eve as he left the Health Department pharmacy on West Sixth Street. They reported finding three hydrocodone tablets and 24 codeine tablets hidden under a floor mat in the back of his car. Lawler told officers he is addicted to hydrocodone, an anti-cough and pain medication that the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration says is frequently abused. Police offered no indication he was selling the drug but said the amount missing from the pharmacy falls under Florida's trafficking statute. Duval County Health Department Director Jeffrey Goldhagen said the investigation has been turned over to police officials. He also said Lawler's position with the department has been terminated. Pharmacy Director Cynthia Griffin told police she ordered a surprise audit after a pharmacy technician made a suspicious comment while ordering hydrocodone. The audit revealed hydrocodone supplies were well under inventory and "tablets were missing on a nearly daily basis," police said. In fact, health department records show 8,247 hydrocodone tablets unaccounted for since July 1, police said. During that time, Lawler was responsible for ordering, receiving and dispensing the drug, according to the Health Department. In December, Lawler approved the order of 800 hydrocodone tablets, though none were dispensed, police said. As of Dec. 29, just 172 remained. Police estimated the street value of the stolen drugs at $40,000. Griffin met with police Dec. 18 and secret video surveillance was set up the week of Christmas. "Russell Lawler, the pharmacist, is observed entering the safe which housed the hydrocodone," the police report says. "Lawler on numerous occasions clearly retrieves the hydrocodone bottle and removes the tablets over the course of those days." During the four days that were recorded, Griffin reported 94 hydrocodone tablets missing. None were dispensed legally. The Florida Health Department shows Lawler with a valid pharmacist license and no disciplinary action. He told police he has worked at the Duval County Health Department for more than 30 years. The DEA includes hydrocodone on its list of "drugs and chemicals of concern" and says abuse of the narcotic has escalated the past decade.