Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey has awarded a $262,770 grant to the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences to upgrade equipment used in investigations involving opioids and other synthetic drugs.

A Sept. 16 news release said the funding comes through the Paul Coverdell Forensic Science Improvement Grants Program, which supports efforts by states and local governments to improve the quality and timeliness of forensic science services as well as medical examiner and coroner services.

“Our law enforcement agencies depend on the timely analysis of evidence in cases involving opioid misuse,” Ivey said in the release. “I am pleased to award this grant to assist the Department of Forensic Sciences in its efforts to prepare results for so many law enforcement agencies in our state.”

The grant will help ADFS purchase morgue equipment and a Random Access Biochip Technology Analyzer, or RABTA, a toxicology drug-screening instrument designed to perform rapid, simultaneous testing for multiple drugs from a single patient sample.

According to ADFS officials, the technology is expected to speed up toxicology testing while improving the accuracy of results.

ADFS is the sole provider of forensic testing services for more than 450 law enforcement agencies across Alabama. Department officials said the agency has seen a steady increase in opioid-related death investigations and toxicology submissions at its medical examiner facilities.

The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs is administering the grant using funds provided by the U.S. Department of Justice.

“ADECA stands with Gov. Ivey in her efforts to provide much-needed support to statewide law enforcement agencies like the Department of Forensic Sciences,” ADECA Director Kenneth Boswell said.