Holzer Health Systems in Gallipolis, Ohio, has purchased a $1.5 million biometric patient tracking system in hopes of curbing prescription drug abuse.

As reported in the Chillicothe Gazette, the health system partnered with the state and CrossChx for the fingerprint identification system. Holzer is collecting fingerprints from urgent care and ER patients who volunteer their information. This information will be used to track addicts who go doctor shopping in order to get access to prescription painkillers.

Holzer and CrossChx have invested $900,000 in the system. The state has picked up another $500,000 of the tab.

The health system also plans to use anonymous data from the tracking system to analyze behaviors and patterns in drug diversion and fraud attempts, aiding law enforcement in its efforts to combat drug abuse in the region.

Read more here.