Bilaspur (HP), Oct 16 (PTI) A mobile drug testing machine, billed as the first of its kind in Himachal Pradesh, has been provided by the Bilaspur district administration to the police as part of its campaign against drug abuse, and the deputy commissioner will be the first to undergo the test.
The ‘So-Toxa’ machine comes at a cost of approximately Rs 19 lakh and is capable of identifying six major categories of substances – amphetamines, methamphetamines, benzodiazepines, cannabis (THC), cocaine and opiates, officials said.
This is particularly significant for analyzing the nature of substances involved in cases related to ‘chitta’ (synthetic drugs/heroin), they said.
“We are set to begin the state’s first ‘So-Taxa’ mobile drug testing machine. The very first test will be conducted at the Deputy Commissioner’s office starting with myself,” Deputy Commissioner Rahul Kumar on Friday said.
“Following this, other administrative officials will also undergo the test. Instructions have been issued to the police administration in this regard,” he added.
Kumar will be followed by the SDM, the ADC, and other officers and staff at his office.
The mobile drug testing system was provided to the police by the district administration through the District Mineral Foundation Trust.
The machine is designed to facilitate on-the-spot testing in cases involving drug abuse. Through this move, the district administration aims to send a strong message of awareness and accountability in the the fight against drugs, officials said.
A key advantage of this mobile system is that it allows for preliminary, on-the-spot testing based on established sampling and testing protocols, providing investigative agencies with immediate information regarding suspicious substances, they said. PTI COR BPL ZMN
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