New Police Drug Testing Tool Hits the Streets of NZ
Police can now immediately test and identify if an unknown substance is methamphetamine, cocaine or MDMA thanks to a new drug testing tool.
The test is conducted by placing a sample of the substance within a plastic bag atop a device which scans the sample. The device then sends the result to a police officer’s phone which is linked.
Lumi the drug testing tool has been trialled for the last 6 months by front line police. It can instantly identify methamphetamine, cocaine or MDMAs with 95 per cent accuracy.
Assistant Commissioner Lauano Sue Schwagler says people were more likely to disclose what they were carrying when they knew officers could test it.
This allows better-informed police discretion. It allows officers to directly assess if they were more suitable for a warning, health referral or to go through the courts process.”
In the past, officers had to rely on a visual inspection which was not reliable.
“This allows our staff to make some confident decisions.”
It also allows police to better identify harmful drug hotspots and trends. Being able to deploy resources to where they are needed most.
150 Drug Testing Tools being rolled out Nationally
Lumi the name given to the drug testing tool was co-designed by police and Environmental Science and Research.
Police minister Chris Hipkins said the more tools provided to police, the better. He said there are “deep-seated drug issues” in New Zealand and this test would benefit the policing of that.
Hipkins said there was no question drug activity is a challenge for NZ and linked that to increasing gang activity, saying it was “big business” for gangs.
“Lumi won’t replace other drug and alcohol testing devices and is a practical addition to Police tools for reducing drugs harm in New Zealand.”
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