. >> reporter: joshua lopez is in recovery and now works at a treatment center in tampa.e and his co-workers say the gift card for cash scheme is common knowledge among users. >> as an addict doing this, you start -- like you learn this stuff. like, i don't rem exactly how i learned it. i just learned it. >> reporter: the national retail federation found 57% of companies reported fraudulent gift cards or store credit in at least one location. that's down from two-thirds in previous years. home depot has been a preferred target for addicts. the company told us, of course it impacts our bottom line, but it's also about the safety of the community. drug trafficking, even >> it's our experience that they're going to commit these crimes when they're desperate and needing their next fix. >> reporter: we ride along with lieutenant david ballard, on a task force devoted to retail theft in the memphis area. >> they'll go to one store, then they'll go right next door to the next store. >> reporter: the cdc ranks tennessee the third highest in per capita opioid prescriptions. shopli