Philips Develops Roadside Drug-Testing Device

Al writes "A handheld developed by Philips for law enforcement detects traces of cocaine, heroin, cannabis, and methamphetamine in 90 seconds. The system uses magnetic nanoparticles attached to ligands that bind to traces of these drugs. Once saliva has been placed inside the device, an electromagnet mixes the sample and the nanoparticles. Frustrated total internal reflection (FTIR) — the same phenomenon that underlies fingerprint scanners and multitouch screens — is then used to measure a change to the refractive index. By immobilizing different drug molecules on different parts of a sensor surface, the analyzer is able to identify traces of each different drug. An electronic screen displays instructions and a simple color-coded readout of the results."

Re:More expensive stuff...

[larry bagina]

We only need to jail 536 people to save trillions.

Waste of money

[eln]

I knew a guy in college who could smell weed from miles away. No matter where you were, if you broke out a joint, he would magically show up within minutes. Hiring guys like that has to be cheaper than these devices.

Its just a photo of a dog in a cap and glasses...

[Kenja]

Its just a photo of a dog in a baseball cap and sunglasses, if you totally think he looks like he could drive a truck, you failed the test.

Well it was fun while it lasted

[xednieht]

So much for making out with crack whores.

Re:Legalization

[The Grim Reefer2]

Frustrated total internal reflection (FTIR) - the same phenomenon that underlies fingerprint scanners and multitouch screens - is the used to measure a change to the refractive index.

Perhaps the Slashdot editors should use this device prior to posting an article to the main page. The again, what do I know?

Cheech and Chong

[oldhack]

State trooper: Do you have any illicit substance on you?
Cheech: Not anymore, hehehe.

Re:False Positives?

[aztektum]

if $suspect == WHITE_AFFLUENT
        return poppyseed_muffin
                else if $suspect == MINORITY or WHITE_TRASH
                        return beatdown_arrest
endif

Re:Its just a photo of a dog in a cap and glasses.

[Anonymous Coward]

And it has a multiple choice caption below it

Pick the following which is more likely to come from the subject of this image:

a. Meow! Meow!
b. Arf! Arf! Arf!
c. Hi i'm in ur clothez drivn ur truks lol!

I can see the headline

[DoofusOfDeath]

"Philips screw driver."

Re:Legalization

[Leebert]

Speeding is bad too - we should give all people caught speeding jail time.

You have clearly never been to Virginia.

Re:Test for impairment, not specific drugs.

[soniCron88]

*hands gameboy* "Here. Either you get at least 20,000 points on Tetris or you're going to jail, pal."

Re:Legalization

[Shakrai]

I've never had a problem smoking while driving. Friends have commented that i'm a better driver while stoned and i've done some double blind video tape tests of myself doing things stoned showing I am actually more coordinated

That reminds me of a joke I heard a long time ago:

What's the difference between a drunk driver and a stoned driver? The drunk driver runs right through the stop sign without even looking. The stoned driver stops at the stop sign and waits for it to turn green.

Re:Legalization

[SomeJoel]

Hell, some of my friends still argue with me that THC is a hallucinogen

They said no such thing. I think you imagined the whole conversation.

Re:Legalization

[Alex Belits]

rabid prohibition group, Mothers Against Drunk Driving, or NAMBLA

what

Perfect quote...

[Anonymous Coward]

"If God wanted us to get high, he would have made plants that are psychoactive when smoked or ingested." -Steven Colbert

Re:Legalization

[mcgrew]

I'm a member of DAMM - Drunks Against Mad Mothers