San Francisco police test device that detects fentanyl in saliva

Joanna Putman
Police1

SAN FRANCISCO — The San Francisco Police Department will soon introduce a drug testing device that will detect the presence of fentanyl and other drugs in saliva. The San Francisco Chronicle reported.

According to the report, Dräger DrugTest 5000 is intended to assist in arrests for public intoxication. The move is part of a year-long effort to combat the city’s open-air drug markets.

The report says the Dräger device, which tests saliva samples in several different ways, is already being used in DUI investigations. Ryan Kao, director of the SFPD’s Crime Strategies Division, led talks with Dräger, convincing the company to develop a prototype specifically to detect fentanyl.

The San Francisco Police Department, which has already signed a contract with Dräger for other testing purposes, will be the first to field test the prototype, according to the report. The device works with a handheld unit and an analyzer that processes saliva samples to detect eight types of drugs: fentanyl, methamphetamine, cocaine, heroin, oxycodone, methadone, benzodiazepines such as Xanax and ketamine. Officers must obtain consent before conducting the test, similar to DUI testing.

Kao acknowledged the new system could lead to more arrests, but emphasized its role in providing officers with objective evidence that can be difficult to obtain in drunk driving arrests.

“In an era where we have a lot more control over our officers, it allows them to say, ‘You know what? I’m not making this up. I have something that’s backed up by science,'” Kao said.

“(The change) from arrest to saving a life is commendable…” said Sheriff Chad Chronister. “I am proud of our team for safely arresting her.”

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