Exploration of Wastewater as a Complementary, Rapid, and Objective Indicator of Substance Abuse

Research Project on Addictions, Ministry of Health - 2022-2024

2020I009

The main objective of the project is to implement wastewater analysis as a new source of epidemiological information in Spain, aimed at assessing the consumption of both illegal drugs and new psychoactive substances, as well as legal substances such as alcohol and tobacco.

The study covers a representative area across Spain through the participation of at least 20-25 wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) located in more than half of the autonomous communities. By sampling in various types of population centers and conducting a specific study in three districts of the city of Barcelona, the project provides complementary information to that offered by the indicators already established by the Spanish National Plan on Drugs (PNSD). It enables more effective and timely detection of consumption trends. To achieve this, samples are collected over 7 consecutive days at all WWTPs during two selected weeks each year. Moreover, by comparing with previous years' data and conducting sampling during special weeks, the final year of the study will allow for an assessment of the impact of specific events on substance use patterns and the evolution of these patterns during and after the COVID-19 pandemic.

The project involves 33 researchers from 13 institutions located in 8 different autonomous communities. These researchers have unique analytical capabilities and the required expertise. They have also been collaborating for some time and have established networks with various WWTPs and public administrations. This ensures fast and effective transfer of results, as well as the collection of the epidemiological data necessary for validating and contextualizing the findings.

The project also benefits from the collaboration of the EMCDDA, both the former and current coordinators of the North American early warning system (NDEWS), and two Australian universities that coordinate the largest national wastewater analysis network for epidemiological purposes.

The team consists mainly of analytical chemists with extensive experience in this type of analysis, including representative sampling and study design. It also includes experts in water engineering, epidemiology, and addiction, thereby ensuring the quality of the data and its proper contextualization alongside existing epidemiological indicators, highlighting its complementary value.