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Spatial differences and temporal changes in illicit drug use in E urope quantified by wastewater analysis
Author(s) -
Ort Christoph,
Nuijs Alexander L. N.,
Berset JeanDaniel,
Bijlsma Lubertus,
Castiglioni Sara,
Covaci Adrian,
Voogt Pim,
Emke Erik,
FattaKassinos Despo,
Griffiths Paul,
Hernández Félix,
GonzálezMariño Iria,
Grabic Roman,
KasprzykHordern Barbara,
Mastroianni Nicola,
Meierjohann Axel,
Nefau Thomas,
Östman Marcus,
Pico Yolanda,
Racamonde Ines,
Reid Malcolm,
Slobodnik Jaroslav,
Terzic Senka,
Thomaidis Nikolaos,
Thomas Kevin V.
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
addiction
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.424
H-Index - 193
eISSN - 1360-0443
pISSN - 0965-2140
DOI - 10.1111/add.12570
Subject(s) - illicit drug , drug , wastewater , environmental health , environmental science , medicine , pharmacology , environmental engineering
Aims To perform wastewater analyses to assess spatial differences and temporal changes of illicit drug use in a large E uropean population. Design Analyses of raw wastewater over a 1‐week period in 2012 and 2013. Setting and Participants Catchment areas of wastewater treatment plants ( WWTP s) across E urope, as follows: 2012: 25 WWTP s in 11 countries (23 cities, total population 11.50 million); 2013: 47 WWTP s in 21 countries (42 cities, total population 24.74 million). Measurements Excretion products of five illicit drugs (cocaine, amphetamine, ecstasy, methamphetamine, cannabis) were quantified in wastewater samples using methods based on liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry. Findings Spatial differences were assessed and confirmed to vary greatly across E uropean metropolitan areas. In general, results were in agreement with traditional surveillance data, where available. While temporal changes were substantial in individual cities and years ( P ranging from insignificant to <10 −3 ), overall means were relatively stable. The overall mean of methamphetamine was an exception (apparent decline in 2012), as it was influenced mainly by four cities. Conclusions Wastewater analysis performed across Europe provides complementary evidence on illicit drug consumption and generally concurs with traditional surveillance data. Wastewater analysis can measure total illicit drug use more quickly and regularly than is the current norm for national surveys, and creates estimates where such data does not exist.