The Knox County Sheriff’s Department has acquired new technology to protect the public against drug impaired drivers.
In cooperation with the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute, the department has obtained a device called SoToxa to help identify drug-impaired drivers.
SoToxa is a handheld analyzer that uses an oral fluid swab to detect the presence of six kinds of drugs: cocaine, methamphetamine, opiates, cannabis, amphetamine, and benzodiazepines.
It’s like a portable breathalyzer, but instead of testing for traces of alcohol, it detects the presence of drugs.
The only accurate drug testing has been sending urine or blood samples to a laboratory, which can delay results for days.
The Knox County Sheriff’s Office has also certified two deputies in phlebotomy allowing them to make blood draws.
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