Investigation Shows Field Drug Tests are Faulty

A FOX 13 investigation shows that field drug tests used by law enforcement officers can be unreliable. Scientists in South Carolina have showed that the test kits have mistaken samples of coffee or over the counter medication as illegal drugs, according to FOX 13. In light of this, Hillborough Circuit Judge Gregory Holder and his fellow judges are looking to implement changes; they want the FDLE to test suspected drugs in felony cases right away. This would eliminate delays in the proceedings.

“Our laws, whether its U.S. Constitution or Florida Constitution, ensure each and every one of us fundamental rights and those are being denied because of the testing that’s been done on the road or at the jail that’s just not valid,” said Holder, according to FOX 13.

Last year, a military officer spent five months clearing his name as a result of an inaccurate field drug test, which showed that the pills in his pocket were meth. “That’s just absolutely unacceptable,” Judge Holder said. He was arrested on July 6 but the FDLE did not receive the pills until October 16. Judge Holder said “We have got to move quicker to resolve these issues whether it’s a controlled substance or it’s not a controlled substance period,” according to FOX 13. The drug charges were dropped on December 4, after FDLE sent results to State Attorney’s Office showing the pills were not a controlled substance.

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