The dangerous influx of the deadly synthetic drug fentanyl on the streets in the Valley is forcing changes for law endorcement's safety. The Arizona Department of Public Safety is one of many law enforcement agencies nationwide changing the way white powdery substances are tested because of the risks of fentanyl. DPS Director, Colonel Frank Milstead, says that creates a significant hazard. "Because it's so dangerous it can be inhaled and absorbed into the skin, it creates an issue if they were to come into contact with it." In response to those concerns, DPS has stopped all in-field testing and now conducts all controlled-substance testing in a lab. That decision initially created a backlog of 2000 cases in need of testing. But Milstead says after changing the process from full-spectrum testing to simple in-field testing conducted in a lab, the agency is now confident there will be no impact to the prosecution of cases. He says the backlog of cases should be back to normal by April 2018. Colonel Milstead says if the case goes to court a second full-spectrum test on the controlled-substance would be completed. The Colonel says no Arizona law enforcement personnel have suffered from the handling of the drug, but cases of first responders being impacted are being reported nationwide.
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