Opp Police Chief Mike McDonald made a plea and a warning this week to those who purchase illegal prescription narcotics.

“This is addressed to our friends and neighbors both in Opp as well as those that come to Opp from other Alabama counties and Florida in their efforts to purchase prescription medication illegally,” he said. “Stop. You are addicted and you need help. It can happen to most anyone. Don’t ruin your life and/or the lives of your family.”

McDonald said that local pharmacists and staff in Opp have caught on.

“They know what to look for,” he said. “They are not bashful about verifying a prescription and they know how to alert law enforcement authorities when a suspicious ‘script is presented.”

McDonald reminded locals that patrol officers, members of the OPD criminal investigations division and agents with the 22nd Judicial Drug Task Force were trained to investigate these types of cases.

“They know what to look for and how to pursue the truth in these cases,” he said. “They work these cases weekly. We really don’t want to chase after you and lock you up. We want you to obtain help and get well. However, law enforcement, as well as, medical professionals are watching out for you. You may not think that you will be caught. That remains to be seen. You should hope and pray that you will be apprehended so that you don’t so that you don’t kill yourself or someone else with these pills.”