Pinellas Sheriff Requests Funding for Fentanyl Testing Amidst Ongoing Crisis

Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri is seeking $625,000 for 25 TruNarc analyzers to field-test suspected drugs, citing the risk of fentanyl exposure to his deputies. However, scientific consensus shows that the risk of harm or death from fentanyl through skin or air exposure is exceptionally low. Researchers have documented the spread of fentanyl misinformation and found promise in corrective training for officers. Despite this, Gualtieri insists that his deputies are at risk and wants to invest in the TruNarc technology.