Suffolk County Police Department introduces SoToxa device capable of detecting marijuana and other drugs in minutes

LONG ISLAND, N.Y. — Police on Long Island have begun using a new roadside saliva testing device that can quickly detect marijuana and several other drugs in drivers, a development being hailed as a potential “game changer” for impaired driving enforcement.

The device, known as SoToxa, provides results in approximately five minutes and can identify seven different categories of drugs. These include THC (the primary psychoactive compound in marijuana), cocaine, methamphetamine, benzodiazepines, and opiates.

Unlike traditional alcohol breathalyzers, which have long been a standard tool for detecting drunk driving, most police departments have lacked a reliable, rapid roadside method for identifying drug impairment. Suffolk County Police Department is taking a lead role by deploying three of the SoToxa devices, marking a significant step forward in addressing the growing challenge of drug-impaired driving.

Authorities say the technology allows officers to obtain objective evidence of drug use directly at the scene of a traffic stop, potentially strengthening DWI (Driving While Intoxicated) cases that previously relied more heavily on officer observations or time-consuming lab tests.

The introduction of the SoToxa comes as concerns about marijuana-impaired driving have increased following the legalization of recreational cannabis in New York State. Officials believe the new tool will help close a critical gap in roadside enforcement capabilities.

While still in the early stages of rollout in Suffolk County, the device is already generating interest among law enforcement agencies looking for more effective ways to keep impaired drivers off the road.