Information gleaned from wastewater analysis suggests patterns of cocaine consumption in County Kildare.
By Seáan McDermott and Patrice Behan, TU Dublin and Ciara McNamee, Forensic Science Ireland
Cocaine, derived from the Erythroxylon coca plant, has a long history spanning over 5,000 years. While it was initially used as a stimulant by chewing the leaves, cocaine was later extracted from the plant for pain relief purposes. Today, the clandestine extraction process involves shifting from coca leaves to coca paste to cocaine base to cocaine powder, utilizing readily available chemicals such as diesel, petrol, sulphuric acid, and sodium bicarbonate.
Cocaine consumption in Ireland comes in two primary forms - a crystalline powder and a free base known as 'crack' cocaine. 'Crack' cocaine, formed by reacting the powder form with baking soda, is typically inhaled. Ireland's cocaine consumption levels rank among the highest in Europe, with the drug reportedly available nationwide.
Tracking Cocaine Consumption Through Wastewater Analysis
Typically, data on drug use is derived from Garda and Customs seizure data, surveys of drug use, and research conducted by organizations like the Health Research Board. However, these methods carry the risk of providing an inaccurate picture of the situation on the ground. Enter wastewater-based epidemiology, a method that analyzes wastewater to detect drugs or pathogens within a population.
The idea that a city's sewers reflect its conscience isn't new, as Victor Hugo wrote over 150 years ago. Wastewater analysis provides insight into a community's health and the substances it consumes, much like a urine test at a doctor's office. Europe has been utilizing this method, led by a group called SCORE, to estimate drug consumption within the continent. As of now, Ireland does not contribute data to this project.
Unveiling Cocaine Consumption Patterns
Several steps are involved in estimating cocaine consumption from wastewater analysis:
- Sampling water from wastewater treatment plants
- Analyzing the water for cocaine or its metabolites
- Obtaining the daily flow rate of water through the treatment plant
- Collecting data on the number of people served by the treatment plant
Using this data, it's possible to determine the average amount of cocaine consumed per 1,000 people in the catchment area.
A Pilot Study in Co. Kildare, Ireland
Recently, TU Dublin, in collaboration with Forensic Science Ireland and Uisce Eireann, conducted a pilot study analyzing wastewater from two wastewater treatment plants in Co. Kildare. Preliminary estimates suggest that the average daily consumption of cocaine in Co. Kildare is around 100 milligrams per 1,000 people per day.
While this figure may not come as a surprise to many, wastewater analysis marks a significant step in identifying patterns of drug use across the country. Monitoring cocaine consumption through wastewater analysis can provide early warnings of emerging health threats, helping to inform localized public health interventions.
Without specific data for other European cities, it's difficult to provide precise comparisons. However, wastewater analysis across Europe highlights substantial variations in drug use patterns between urban and rural areas, with major cities often reporting higher consumption rates. This data is crucial for understanding the extent of cocaine use and its impact on public health across Europe.
Dr. Seáan McDermott is a lecturer in the School of Chemical & BioPharmaceutical Sciences at TU Dublin. Dr. Patrice Behan is Head of Chemical Sciences in the same school. Ciara McNamee is a forensic scientist at Forensic Science Ireland.
So, as Europe grapples with the issue of cocaine use, wastewater analysis continues to play a vital role in uncovering consumption patterns and helping to combat the rising trend. It's an opportunity to remind ourselves, once again, that what may be concealed behind socially accepted norms can often surface in the most unexpected places - such as the sewers of our cities.
- Wastewater-based epidemiology, a method used to detect drugs like cocaine within a population, can provide insight into a community's health and the substances they consume, similar to a urine test at a doctor's office.
- In a pilot study conducted in Co. Kildare, Ireland, the average daily consumption of cocaine was estimated to be around 100 milligrams per 1,000 people per day, providing a significant step in identifying patterns of drug use across the country.
