MNEOLA - Nassau County Executive Edward P. Mangano and District Attorney Kathleen Rice today announced that Nassau County’s Prescription Drug Misuse and Abuse Prevention Task Force will partner with InfraGard, an FBI public-private partnership, and the Long Island Pharmacy Crimes Task Force to offer a Pharmacist Security Summit on February 7, 2012 from 8:30 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. at The Morrelly Homeland Security Center in Bethpage.

“Prescription drug abuse has reached epidemic proportions nationwide. In Nassau County, we have felt first-hand the devastating effects of prescription drug abuse and will therefore take the lead in addressing this epidemic by implementing safety, awareness and educational initiatives for the public as well as local pharmacists,” stated County Executive Mangano.

“The rise in prescription drug abuse and the increasing boldness of addicts searching for a new source of pills makes this security summit a must-attend event for every Nassau County pharmacy,” Rice said. “It is incumbent upon law enforcement to provide whatever training, advice, and support we can to pharmacists and their employees.”

The Pharmacist Security Summit will feature representatives from the Nassau County Police Department and Nassau County District Attorney’s Office. Together, they will discuss their efforts and successes in apprehending and deterring addicts from burglarizing local pharmacies for prescription opiates. District Attorney Rice will also address pending prosecutions of doctors and pharmacists accused of illegally dispensing prescription drugs and of individuals filling illegal prescriptions. Additionally, a presentation will be delivered by representatives of Purdue Pharma, the makers of OxyContin. In addition to the February 7th summit, Purdue Pharma is offering a two hour closed door security training session for pharmacists on March 8th at the Morrelly Center.