Kroger pharmacy tech accused of stealing Hydrocodone

LOUISVILLE, KY. (WDRB) -- Kentucky's crackdown on prescription pills leads drug abusers to change their game. Police say a Kroger worker's plan to feed the need of addicts fell apart.

Lauren Vincent worked at the Stonybrook Kroger for less than five months. Sgt. John McGuire of the LMPD Prescription Drug Diversion says, "It was determined and found that she was stealing supply bottles of Hydrocodone." Not just the small orange pill bottles, police say the former pharmacy technician was caught on surveillance video taking pills in bulk.

The police report says she admitted entire bottles were sold to dealers while smaller quantities were sold pill by pill to drug addicts at $4-$5 apiece.

McGuire says, "That employee was interviewed and subsequently resigned and was arrested by the narcotics unit." Police say that happened on Monday.

McGuire says, "This was a very serious incident, so as soon as Kroger noticed a problem the investigation was very quick....Unfortunately, in situations like that a significant amount of medicine goes out on the street."

Hydrocodone is commonly used for severe pain and often is addictive. Kentucky's new pill mill bill is designed to fight such drug abuse, making these drugs harder to obtain.

Police say Vincent's tactics were not typical. It put a direct drug supplier on the inside. McGuire says, "This was actually someone taking those bottles home and selling them on the street."

Kentucky's prescription pill problem is well documented -- once known as the most over-prescribed state in the nation, the medical examiner's office says it's dealing with overdose deaths every day.

The Jefferson County Coroner's Office says there have been about 94 of them in Louisville so far this year, most linked to prescription pills.

McGuire explains, "I've been doing this for a while and the things I've seen related to what people will go through and do to make money by selling prescription medication or support their habit...nothing surprises me."

Vincent faces three felony counts of theft of a controlled substance.

Local police say House bill One is working and several pill mills have been shut down. As it becomes harder to get pills illegally, officers says more addicts are turning back to heroin.