Nurse charged with stealing painkillers from drug dispenser

VALPARAISO, Ind. Thirty-three-year-old Tracy Allen of Portage is charged with felony theft. Police say the Porter Valparaiso Hospital nurse took liquid painkillers from a medicine dispensing machine and replaced them with salt water.

Valparaiso police say that another nurse reported apparent tampering with a bottle of painkiller in January. The same day, Allen was found passed out on the floor.

A phone message left for Allen by The Associated Press was not immediately returned.

Police say Allen told them she began using painkillers after suffering a back injury.

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