St. Francois Commission Approves Purchase of Drug Testing Machine

Farmington, Mo. (KFMO) - The St. Francois County Commission has approved the pending purchase of a MX-908 Drug Testing machine.

The machine analyzes narcotics that are seized or obtained by the department, and can quickly identify whether it is methamphetamine, heroin, or fentanyl, speeding up what has been a lengthy process in the past.

Lieutenant Mike Ryan says although all area municipalities will be able to request use of the device, only those certified for it will be able to operate it.

Currently, drug samples are sent to a lab for testing, a procedure that can take up to 20 weeks. The purchase will be made with opioid settlement funds granted to the Sheriff's Department last week by the county commission.