Have you wondered if there were any police departments that were using the latest narcotics analysis technology to identify drugs in the field and protect their officers from being harmed by carfentanyl, fentanyl and other synthetic opioids? Here is a sampling of seven news reports about the various police departments across the United States who are using narcotics analyzers to help combat the opioid epidemic by safely identifying unknown substances in the field.
- “New device helps Greenville Police identify narcotics”
Greenville News (South Carolina)
Sergeant Tim Conroy of the Greenville Police Department demonstrates the device that lets officers safely identify various forms of narcotics. On camera, he places a bag containing a white powder against the device and shows how safely the analyzer immediately identifies the unknown substance, without his having to open the bag and release the powder.
Watch the video: New device helps Greenville Police identify narcotics
- “Fentanyl fuels concerns over police drug tests in the field”
KGW8 (Portland, OR):
This Portland television station reports on how Oregon state troopers are being protected from potential danger when they come across unknown substances, especially powders that could be inhaled and cause harm. There are now narcotics analyzers that can test drugs without requiring that they be removed from packaging. This feature is becoming increasingly important as some drugs, like fentanyl and other synthetic opioids, can be 50 times more potent than street-level heroin. If a trooper had to take some of the substance out of the package to test it, it could cause accidental exposure to the officers.
Read the article and watch the video: Fentanyl fuels concerns over police drug tests in the field
- “Drug testing technology keeps Northwest Indiana officers safe in wake of surge in fentanyl”
Chicago Tribune:
The rise in synthetic opioids, including fentanyl, caused a Chicago area sheriff’s department to put a quash on testing drugs and unknown substances anywhere they wanted. In order to protect the officers’ health, the Porter County Sheriff’s Department turned to new drug testing technology that uses a laser to scan and identify a substance without exposing officers to the drug. Although officers are trained to wear gloves and not touch anything potentially dangerous, there are instances where officers in other parts of the country have had close encounters of overdosing after being exposed to fentanyl.
Read the article: Drug testing technology keeps Northwest Indiana officers safe in wake of surge in fentanyl
- “Aransas Pass PD acquires ‘TruNarc’ narcotics analyzer”
KZTV News (Aransas Pass, Texas)
Thanks to their new narcotics analyzer, Aransas Pass officers will no longer have to wait on the DPS lab for test results. For officers it’s a pretty simple process. All they have to do is point the laser at the chemical, and wait about a minute for the results. According to officials, this new device will not only help save officers time, but also streamline court cases, and save taxpayer money. The Aransas Pass Police Department used federal drug seizure funds to buy the device.
Read the article: Aransas Pass PD acquires ‘TruNarc’ narcotics analyzer
- “Cambridge Police Have New Tool To Combat Drugs”
CBS Boston Television News Station
Last year, Cambridge Police in Massachusetts unveiled their new electronic device that can identify drugs on the scene. Local police explained how they would come across packages or syringes and with their narcotics analyzer could determine at that moment, what the substance was in the field.
Read the article and watch the video: Cambridge Police Have New Tool To Combat Drugs
- “TruNarc protects police while detecting drugs”
WTHR Channel 13 (Central Indiana)
An Indiana State Police Trooper explains how using their five narcotics analyzers in the field is giving them another layer of protection. The officer showed how the instrument works, by testing a pill in a glass bottle. It took less than two minutes to show that particular pill was just ibuprofen; however, previously the department tested and identified methamphetamine, cocaine. They used to have to send drugs to the state lab for testing, sometimes only to come back harmless. Now, troopers say they’re saving time and money.
Read the article: TruNarc protects police while detecting drugs
- “Police Officers Face New Challenges with Drug Epidemic”
The Laconia Daily Sun (New Hampshire)
Gilford police sergeant demonstrates the use of the department’s narcotics analyzer by testing a powdery substance in a closed plastic container. The department was able to purchase its device with drug forfeiture money.
Read the article: Police Officers Face New Challenges with Drug Epidemic
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