TOKYO — Tokyo Metropolitan Police on Saturday urged pharmacies in the Kabukicho nightlife district to report suspicious purchases of medications following a string of youth overdoses, reports Fuji News Network (Apr. 5).
In a bid to curb the ongoing crisis, investigators visited local pharmacies to request their direct cooperation.
Store staff have been instructed to contact the police immediately if a customer presents a forged prescription or attempts to buy abnormally large amounts of medication.
The alert centers around delinquents and runaways collectively referred to as “Toyoko Kids,” who gather near the Toho Cinemas complex in the heart of Kabukicho.
Police have confirmed multiple cases of minors being rushed to hospitals after overdosing on over-the-counter medications.
In January, police revealed that a 14-year-old middle school girl from Shizuoka Prefecture was rushed to a hospital after overdosing on over-the-counter medication.
In addition, 600 sleeping pills were found in the bag of a 15-year-old middle school girl.
