Pleasant Grove is using new technology to combat the opioid epidemic and increase officer safety

PLEASANT GROVE, Ala. (WBRC) – Pleasant Grove police are testing a new device that will increase officer safety and provide a new weapon in their fight against drugs and opioids.

The department just purchased the TruNarc drug detection system. The small and portable piece of technology fits in your hand and officials in Pleasant Grove believe it will be a game changer.

Investigators say it will help them identify drugs on the scene but also increase police safety during testing.

“It definitely saves us from exposure to possible fentanyl. We all know that if you come into contact with it as an officer, one of your buddies may have to give you Narcan to save your life,” said Pleasant Grove Police Detective Christopher Riddle.

The TruNarc system uses a laser to analyze the chemical structure of a potential drug. The machine can use the analysis to determine whether an officer discovered drugs at the crime scene.

“Believe it or not, I've come across something like this at a traffic stop or at a crime scene where there was sugar or flour in a Ziploc back and I thought it was narcotics,” Detective Riddle said.

Within minutes, the TruNarc scanner can determine whether an officer is touching something as simple as sugar or something more deadly. Officials can print these results and present them as evidence in court.

Pleasant Grove Police Chief Danny Reid says his team has spent the last few days testing and familiarizing themselves with the department's newest facility and is grateful that others are helping to finance the purchase.

“This is a grant we received from the Jefferson County Commission and it is a piece of equipment that we could never afford at our level. So I just want to give them a shout out: This will keep officers safe and help us combat the opioid epidemic,” said Chief Reid.

He says if you have any illegal drugs that you would like to have tested with their new scanner, you are welcome to bring them to the department and they will be happy to test them for you.

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