Mobile drug testing to begin in Bilaspur

Bilaspur: 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.

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The Hans India