More drug theft at VA: Recent cases involving health clinics

Government data obtained by The Associated Press show more cases of opioid drug theft or missing prescriptions at Department of Veterans Affairs health facilities despite new prevention efforts. The VA inspector general's office opened 36 new criminal investigations into possible drug theft from Oct. 1 to May 19. Doctors, nurses or pharmacy staff in the VA's network of more than 160 medical centers and 1,000 clinics are suspected of siphoning away controlled substances for their own use or street sale — sometimes to the harm of patients.