Missouri State Highway Patrol no longer drug test on the field

Missouri State Highway Patrol will no longer be drug testing on the field due to the lethal substance fentanyl.

Fentanyl is a dangerous and extremely powerful narcotic. The Drug Enforcement Administration has warned the police that accidental fentanyl exposure during a field test can be deadly. Detective Tom O’Sullivan told ABC 17 that fentanyl can “be fatal if it becomes airborne or makes contact with the skin or if you breathe it in.” A major problem is that many drugs, including marijuana can be laced with fentanyl without even knowing it.

Even back in 2016, the D.E.A. recommended to no longer field test due to “dogs becoming sick, several even died after being subjected to fentanyl,” said Detective O’Sullivan. The deadly substance also poses a major threat to officers.

The Highway Patrol will now be only be drug testing in labs rather than on the field.