CONWAY, Ark. — A program first announced in August is now coming to the University of Central Arkansas.
The Arkansas Opioid Recovery Partnership (ARORP)’s Sentinel Project spent around $1 million on devices called TruNarc Handheld Narcotics Analayzers, or TruNarc for short.
"We're filling the gap in the state of providing what they call a TruNarc analyzing unit,” ARORP director Kirk Lane said. “That can almost immediately analyze a substance and tell you exactly what it is."
The device uses a laser to determine if a substance is harmless or a dangerous opioid like fentanyl.
After applying for the project, UCA was selected as a recipient and Sgt. Michael Hopper said the new technology is a time-saver and a game-changer.
"In times past, we did have field test kits,” Hopper said. “But they were cumbersome to use.”
“Having instant information is very important,” Lane said. “One, for the dangers there are with substances today and some of the synthetics of today, and also the fact of getting into an investigation and not having to wait 30 or 60 days to send something to the crime lab and wait for that analysis to come back.”
But beyond the speed, the main thing Hopper noted with the TruNarc was its safety.
He said in the past, officers had to physically handle possibly dangerous substances, but now the can go hands-free.
"It’s a level of danger for our officers out there,” Hopper said. “To actually have to physically take a sample and out it in these field test kits.”
According to Hopper and Lane, they’re safer and quicker, but can the devices be found anywhere besides UCA?
Lane said yes.
“We’ve given out over 20,” Lane said. “ The price tag on them are about $35,000 an instrument. So we bought a million dollars worth of instruments with the opioid settlement money, and we're pushing it out, trying to be uniformly throughout the state."
And one thing that could help with that mission is collaboration between different cities and departments.
To that end, Hopper said UCA plans to let other Faulkner County law enforcement agencies use the machine when needed.
“So we can help try to build that database up,” Hopper said. “To see what's not just happening on campus, but also in the wider Faulkner County and Conway area."
Lane said the application process is still wide open for the TruNarcs that have yet to be given out.
“We're always looking for good applicants,” Lane said.
The link to apply, as well as more information on the ARORP, can be found here.