BREMEN, Ind. -- It's known as Sotoxa, and while the device itself is not brand new, the instrument now has the technological capabilities to detect fentanyl in someone's system in around 5 minutes.
The fight against impaired driving just got taken up a notch.
Sotoxa, which have been in the state of Indiana for around 5 years, will be able to test for fentanyl, in addition to several other drugs.
"The things that the instrument has tested for since its implementation in the state of Indiana, cocaine, amphetamines, methamphetamines, THC cannabis, the natural opiates, like heroin, and benzodiazepines, those are the six things it has tested for since we've had it in Indiana, today we get to add fentanyl," said Chris Kirby, Indiana impaired driving enforcement liaison.
Kirby says the hope is that all of the roughly 200 units of Sotoxa that are in the Hoosier state will have the fentanyl update by the end of January.
"There's a waiting list of 30 different agencies that want this device, so there is funding out there that's available, through NTSA, they just need to know where to go and how to ask," said Kirby.
One Indiana State Police trooper who spoke with ABC57 says even if this new addition saves one Hoosier life, it will be a success.
"The numbers are there for the tests that we already have done, and now with the new information, new technology that we have of being able to test for another drug category that we already have, or have already seen be a problem in Indiana alone, we'll be able to do that, we'll be able to save more lives," said Garrett Tharp, ISP Trooper.
The devices cost under $5,000