Wastewater 'tested for drugs'

Scientific researchers from Oregon and Washington have been using wastewater to track drug use, it has been revealed.

Tested for traces of cocaine, ecstasy and methamphetamine, the findings create a map of drug use which can be used by health officials and the authorities to give them a better understanding of the challenges they face.

More than 96 municipalities across Oregon volunteered to take part in the programme and sent samples of raw effluent to researchers.

Commenting on the study, Caleb Banta-Green of the University of Washington said traces of cocaine was found in the wastewater of most cities.

"Cocaine use has always been thought of as really an urban phenomenon. We did find that there were higher levels and more likelihood to find cocaine in urban areas. But it was also present in some of the mid-sized cities," he added.

In related news, MSNBC reported last year that many US hospitals are flushing pharmaceuticals down the drain, leading to the contamination of drinking water in some areas.

Written by Joseph Hutton