Seven new illicit substances have been detected in Australian wastewater, a study from The University of Queensland’s Queensland Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences has found.
The research analysed wastewater samples taken during the New Year period between 2019-20, 2020-21 and 2021-22, and discovered the presence of seven new drugs. These included compounds which mimic the effects of MDMA and cocaine.
The detection of these compounds is concerning, as it suggests that illicit drug use is increasing and that new and potentially dangerous substances are being used.
The study tested samples from three wastewater treatment plants across Queensland, and found that the levels of the new substances increased over the three years of the study. This suggests that there is a growing trend of drug use in the area.
University of Queensland researcher Richard Bade stated the substances they discovered, known as new psychoactive substances (NPS), were designed to resemble illicit drugs, but the small differences in their molecular structures meant they could remain one step ahead of the law.
“In order to circumvent regulations, these substances are synthetically produced to serve as a substitute for prohibited substances, with a slight variation in their molecular structure. Due to the small-scale production of these substances, it is challenging for law enforcement to regulate their distribution,” Dr Bade said.
Dr Bade emphasized wastewater analysis is an economical and morally sound method employed by organizations and governments to gauge drug usage patterns and the worldwide distribution of these substances.
