ZANESVILLE – Narcotics field testing can be costly and potentially deadly but it’s necessary for charges to be filed.

With the influx of fentanyl streaming into the area, law enforcement officers are becoming even more at risk for accidental overdose by handling confiscated narcotics. 

With financial assistance from the Muskingum County Prosecutor’s office and Muskingum County Commissioners, the sheriff’s office now has a $21,000 piece of equipment to combat the risk of exposure and the ability to more accurately identify narcotics.

“We’ve always field tested suspected narcotics,” Sheriff Matt Lutz said. “But that means handling the drugs and there is stuff out there now that will absorb through latex gloves and stuff that is resistant to NARCAN,” which is used to help reverse an opioid overdose.

TacticID is a handheld narcotics identification tool that delivers fast, accurate identification of narcotics, controlled substances, pharmaceutical pills and cutting agents while it’s still in the bag.

Traditional testing kits require destruction of evidence for sampling, vast user interpretation, high recurring operating costs, and give relatively high false positive or negative results. 

TacticID can differentiate between powders, pills, liquids and other forms of controlled substances with the push of a button, and can break down the components that make up the substance.

A demonstration of the device Thursday tested a confiscated bag of methamphetamine that, when tested with the laser device, showed the bag contained methamphetamine, baking powder and petroleum jelly – which is an ingredient found in the plastic packaging.

“We still have to send everything to the lab but we can use this as more accurate preliminary testing to build a case,” Lutz said. 

The TacticID comes with a comprehensive library of more than 1,000 substances. Additionally, users have access to frequent library updates in order to continuously maintain up-to-date identification capabilities and stay ahead of emerging narcotics.

“(Prosecutor) Mike Haddox and the county commissioners do a great job helping our department get the information and supplies we need,” Lutz said. 

cschultz3@gannett.com

740-450-6758

Twitter: @infoobtainer1

 

 

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