Edmonton police are reporting the number of pharmacy robberies in our city is up with 13 already reported for this year. That number compares to seven for the same time last year.

In 2009 there were 18 pharmacy robberies, and 27 in 2010. One pharmacist told CTV News she was robbed at gunpoint twice.

"You kind of have to let it go otherwise it destroys your career, and I love being a pharmacist," said Nicole Schettler.

Another pharmacist says she was shown a knife during a robbery at her pharmacy.

"Young adults jumped over the gate and showed us a knife and said 'step back and open the vault and let me have the Oxycontin," said Denysia Wincott.

Police say of the 13 robberies reported this year, 11 have been drug-targeted robberies. Investigators say many of the robberies appear to be driven by a profitable market for drugs such as Oxycontin, where police say one pill can be sold for upwards of $80 on the street.

Detectives say it is usually middle class males between the ages of 18 to 25.

"Robberies are not being committed for the money, at least not directly. It's all about drugs and along with drugs comes addictions," said Det. Howard Kunce with the Edmonton Police Service.

In an effort to crackdown on these robberies, police have been meeting with pharmacists, pharmacy technicians and pharmacy students. They say their goal is to educate pharmacy staff so if a robbery should occur, employees will be better able to cope with the stress and trauma and perhaps become better witnesses.

"Basically to tell the pharmacists to maybe have a procedure policy in place to not carry Oxy on site and have posters stating that," said Det. Tony Parotta with the Edmonton Police Service.

Wincott says she has spent money on security upgrades and hopes these measures will prevent a robbery from happening again.

"When they get in here we just say 'take it' -- a life is not worth what you are looking for," she said.

Detectives told CTV commercial robberies in banks and convenience stores are down. It's believed those are driven by the pursuit for money and cigarettes.

With files from Serena Mah