Four police agencies in Monroe County will share use of the SoToxa mobile testing system.
The device, deployed to 52 other police agencies around the state, is similar to a breathalyzer test given to drivers suspected of being under the influence of alcohol.
“Right now it's set up to test for six different drug categories. It's amphetamine, benzos, Cannabis, cocaine, methamphetamine and opiates,” said Monroe County Sheriff’s Captain of Operations Ryan Davis.
The sheriff’s office, along with the Bloomington, IU and Ellettsville police departments, will share the device. It will be housed in the sheriff’s office.
Davis said driving under the influence of drugs is often an overlooked offense.
“And I think a lot of people tend to downplay a little bit of, well, I'm not drunk, I may feel something but I'm still good to drive, which, unfortunately, we've seen a lot of traffic accidents and operating while intoxicated arrests for people on things other than alcohol,” he said.
Representatives from the four agencies using the SoToxa device are being trained on how to use it before it is used in the field.
Each device costs $4,500 and is paid for with a grant from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
According to the Indiana Criminal Justice Academy, agencies in Bartholomew, Johnson, Lawrence and Morgan counties are using the device, along with the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police department.
