Project that tested traces of illicit drugs in wastewater also found higher use during Eurovision song contest
Traces of illicit drugs in wastewater in England show spikes in usage during bank holiday weekends, heatwaves and sports events, while the Eurovision song contest ranks as one of the most drug-fuelled nights of the year.
Tests at water treatment plants across the country found clear patterns in drug taking through the week and changing seasons, and revealed particularly high levels of cocaine and ketamine use compared with other European countries.
Ketamine is a powerful anaesthetic that can be fatal and is especially dangerous when taken with other drugs. It can damage memory and cause serious bladder problems that can require surgical repair or even lead to removal of the organ.
The project, led by Imperial College London for the Home Office, is one of the most detailed investigations to date into drug use in a single country. Researchers analysed more than 1,700 water samples from 15 treatment sites across England in 2022 to establish a baseline that future measurements can be compared against.
