HAMILTON COUNTY, Ind. — The opioid epidemic continues to be a growing concern for Hoosiers, putting fentanyl at the top of the list.
According the DEA, in 2023 enough fentanyl was seized nationwide to kill every American.
"There's never been a more dangerous time in our society to be an illegal drug user. This stuff is being cut with poison," said Hamilton County Coroner Jeff Jellison.
Jellison is taking steps to fight the opioid crisis using a newly emerging device called the "Randox Multistat Toxicology Analyzer." The device, big enough to sit on a table, analyzes blood, urine and vitreous.
On Wednesday, the company held a training for staff.
The technology can share what kind of drug a person may have overdosed on and provide results in a matter of minutes versus weeks. The device gives results in about 30 minutes.
"When they (law enforcement) know in a matter of minutes after we leave that scene, what drug it is that that person has purchased and used, they can begin their investigative efforts," said Jellison.
Currently, the coroner's office waits weeks for toxicology results.
"This person was positive for many many drugs," said Jellison as he showed 13News a final lab test result.
The deceased tested positive for seven types of drugs, including fentanyl and zylazine.
"All of these things are being cut with these pills and people don't know what they're taking," said Jellison.
Jellison said the speed of return on toxicology with this new technology is a game changer.
"We're knowing what is in our community real-time. Not having to wait weeks, and how many people died during that waiting period. If we have results real-time, we can communicate those results to law enforcement, we can communicate them to our health department and all of us can begin to warn the public, in real time and that's important," said Jellison.
An important part that can potentially help get those responsible for dealing drugs off the streets.