Vinton police issue challenge to prescription drug abusers

VINTON - Vinton police issued a challenge to prescription drug abusers on Wednesday, saying, "We have a brand new jail and plenty of space to lock them up."

Officers arrested Kelly D. Smith, 28, of Waterloo, on Wednesday after she tried to get prescription drugs at Vinton Family Medical Clinic, 504 N. Ninth Ave., by providing false information. Police said Smith provided a non-existent local address, which caused clinic staff to become suspicious.

Vinton Police Chief Jeff Tilson said in a news release Smith used a false name, date of birth and social security number when she tried to register at the clinic.

Tilson said several cases of prescription fraud in Vinton are investigated each year.

"These drug seekers seem to think we're not sharp enough to catch onto them out here in the rural areas," Tilson said in the news release. "Our medical professionals have a pretty acute eye for these individuals, we have an excellent working relationship with all of the providers and medical facilities in Vinton, and they never  hesitate to call us when they become suspicious."

"Driving from Waterloo or Cedar Rapids to Vinton when you've never been a patient here before, then asking for a prescription narcotic by name, is a red flag that doesn't go unnoticed. We want to put anyone who is thinking of coming to Vinton to try this on notice: we have a brand new jail and plenty of space to lock them up if they want to come here and give us a try."

Providing false information to obtain a prescription drug is a serious misdemeanor in Iowa, punishable by up to one year in jail and a maximum fine of $1,000.