Litteral hopes a new drug test called Passpoint will drastically reduce the cost and man hours it takes to administer the tests. The new system from Streetime Technologies uses pupilometry, an eye test of pupil response to light to pre-screen for recent drug use, according to Litteral and John Diamond, a Streetime sales rep. Suspected violations are then verified with a urine test.
“We won’t be spending so much time in the bathroom,” Litteral said.
Last year, her department performed 5,000 drug tests at a cost of $20,000 and nearly 80 percent came back clean. Litteral hopes those probationers, who are following the rules, will be able to get through the system more quickly using the eye test and without the embarrassment of having to use the bathroom in front of someone.
“We want to get those people back to work,” Litteral said, so her officers can concentrate on those trying to “game the system.” She expects the new system will let the department perform tests more often on those who need it.
Greene County is the first in the state to embrace the new test. Commissioners had to approve the lease, which at a cost of $20,000 is close to the department’s annual drug testing budget. Litteral does have an option to buy the machine for $50,000 in the first five months of the lease.
The visual drug test may only be used Greene County, but it has at least one other fan in the Miami Valley. Jim Dare, head of Montgomery County’s probation department, said he saw the technology demonstrated in Colorado and “thought it was excellent.” Litteral said she initially learned of the system from Dare.
Montgomery County probation officers administer almost 20,000 drug tests in 2009, using a five-panel, instant-read, cup at a cost of $1.50 a piece.
Dare said when he is able to consolidate his department’s three locations into one he’ll look into using Passpoint or a similar system. “Absolutely, it will take less staff time,” he said.
Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2342 or cmagan@Dayton DailyNews.com.
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