Gov. Kay Ivey granted a total of $386,207 to the Department of Forensic Sciences to help fight the use of opioids and other illegal drugs in the state of Alabama.
The awards will assist the department in purchasing two substance analyzers that will be able to efficiently identify prescription and illegal drugs being used, which includes opioids. The devices will have the ability to provide information on both solid and liquid drugs to determine the presence or type of drug.
“Evidence provided by the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences is often the difference between whether a suspect is convicted or set free,” Ivey said. “These new tools will greatly enhance the ability of technicians to accurately examine drug evidence and provide that information to law enforcement agencies and prosecutors.”
The department is responsible for collection and identification for over 450 law enforcement agencies in the state.
The grants will be given out by the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs using funds collected from the United States Department of Justice.
“Gov. Ivey recognizes the tireless work that the Department of Forensic Sciences performs daily to assist our law enforcement agencies and prosecutorial services in doing their jobs effectively and efficiently,” said Kenneth Boswell, the director of ADECA. “ADECA is pleased to join Gov. Ivey in this partnership to provide this new equipment.”
