Investigating the correlation between wastewater analysis and roadside drug testing in South Australia. (1st June 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Bade, Richard; Tscharke, Benjamin J.; Longo, Marie; Cooke, Richard; White, Jason M; Gerber, Cobus
• Is Part Of: Drug and alcohol dependence. Volume 187(2018)
• Page Start: 123
• Page End: 126
• Publication Date: 2018-06-01
• Subjects: Illicit drugs -- Wastewater -- Australia -- Roadside drug testing; Drug abuse -- Periodicals; Alcoholism -- Periodicals; 616.86
• DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2018.02.030
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0376-8716

Abstract

Graphical abstract: Highlights: Correlation is demonstrated between roadside drug testing and wastewater analysis. Methamphetamine and MDMA use correlated well between the datasets. Cannabis use initially correlated between the datasets, but subsequently deviated. Wastewater analysis predicts drug driving behaviour. Abstract: Background: The societal impact of drug use is well known. An example is when drug-intoxicated drivers increase the burden on policing and healthcare services. Methods: This work presents the correlation of wastewater analysis (using UHPLC–MS/MS) and positive roadside drug testing results for methamphetamine, 3, 4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) and cannabis from December 2011–December 2016 in South Australia. Results: Methamphetamine and MDMA showed similar trends between the data sources with matching increases and decreases, respectively. Cannabis was relatively steady based on wastewater analysis, but the roadside drug testing data started to diverge in the final part of the measurement period. Conclusions: The ability to triangulate data as shown here validates both wastewater analysis and roadside drug testing. This suggests that changes in overall population drug use revealed by WWA is consistent and proportional with changes in drug-driving behaviours. The results show that, at higher levels of drug use as measured by wastewater analysis, there is an increase in drug driving in the community and therefore more strain on health services and police.