Wastewater analysis and drugs — a European multi-city study (2019 Update)

Publications

Wastewater analysis and drugs — a European multi-city study (2019 Update)

4 April 2019
European Monitoring Centre on Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA)

The findings of the largest European project to date in the emerging science of wastewater analysis are taken up in this ‘Perspective on drugs’. The project in question analysed wastewater around 70 European cities and towns (hereinafter referred to as ‘cities’) to explore the drug-taking habits of those who live in them. The characteristics of European cities differ considerably; with some being major tourist or business hubs with varying day and night time populations. The results provide a valuable snapshot of the drug flow through the cities involved, revealing marked geographical variations.

Part of the ‘Perspectives on drugs’ (PODs) series, launched alongside the annual European Drug Report, these designed-for-the-web interactive analyses aim to provide deeper insights into a selection of important issues.