Imagine discovering that a thief has stolen life-saving medication from your doorstep instead of a holiday gift. It’s a chilling reality for families like Carmen Peterson’s, whose 8-year-old son, Ethan, relies on a costly medication to prevent seizures caused by a rare genetic disorder called Syngap1. But here’s where it gets even more heartbreaking: Last holiday season, Ethan’s $1,800 medication was stolen from their porch in Charlotte, N.C., leaving Carmen scrambling to replace it before her son missed a dose.
Ethan, a nonverbal yet joyful child who adores Elmo and Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, communicates in his own unique way. His seizures, however, are unpredictable and dangerous. ‘He can just drop to the ground without warning,’ Carmen explains, recalling instances where he’s fallen on hardwood floors or concrete, requiring emergency room visits. The stolen medication, Epidiolex, is his lifeline—and its theft put him at grave risk.
And this is the part most people miss: Package theft isn’t just about losing a new gadget or toy. During the holiday rush, when e-commerce peaks, thieves often target packages without knowing what’s inside. According to the United States Postal Service, December remains the busiest month for deliveries, a trend amplified by the pandemic. Yet, tracking stolen packages is surprisingly complex. Ben Stickle, a criminal justice professor at Middle Tennessee State University, explains that the delivery process involves so many hands that pinpointing thefts is challenging. ‘It’s hard to piece together what happens from the moment you click ‘buy’ to when it arrives,’ he says. His research with the postal service reveals that victims often report thefts to different entities that don’t share data, and some don’t report it at all.
But here’s the controversial part: While security firm SafeWise estimates 250,000 packages are stolen daily, and the postal service reported 58 million stolen in 2024, no one knows how many contain medication. Pharmacies like CVS Caremark and Walgreens claim theft is rare and offer tracking and discreet packaging, but Carmen’s experience suggests otherwise. When her insurer’s pharmacy refused to replace Ethan’s medication, she had to fight—going public on local news until Jazz Pharmaceuticals stepped in to help.
So, what can you do? Stickle recommends scheduling deliveries when you’re home or using hidden delivery spots. Even a simple porch locker can deter thieves. But here’s a thought-provoking question: Should pharmacies and insurers do more to protect critical medications? Carmen now advises getting vital prescriptions delivered to a P.O. box or picking them up in person. What do you think? Should there be stricter safeguards for life-saving medications? Share your thoughts below—this is a conversation worth having.
