News item | 15-12-2023 | 4:55 PM
To gain a clearer picture of drug use in the Netherlands, national research is being conducted into drug residues in sewage water. This type of research is already carried out locally on an incidental basis on behalf of municipalities and as part of a broader study in various European cities. A good national picture is still lacking. National research is now being conducted in a pilot via measuring points of the National Sewerage Surveillance to see whether drug use can be better mapped through sewage water.
The cabinet decided this on the proposal of Minister Yeşilgöz-Zegerius of Justice and Security and State Secretary Van Ooijen of Health, Welfare and Sport. The National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), the Trimbos Institute and the (Union of) water boards have been asked to investigate drug residues in sewage water via the National Sewage Surveillance (NRS).
Minister Yeşilgöz-Zegerius of Justice and Security: “Drug use is not normal. It poses great danger. Drug trafficking and drug production are accompanied by intimidation and brutal violence that threaten our society: shootings, explosions and incendiary drug labs in residential areas, young people doing criminal jobs and drug waste in nature reserves. Every sniff of cocaine and ecstasy pill contributes to the maintenance of this ruthless criminal industry that we are fighting against with our entire constitutional state.”
State Secretary Maarten van Ooijen of VWS: “In addition to being dangerous, drug use is also very unhealthy. With this pilot we get an even more complete and objective picture of which resources are used. With this information we can implement even more targeted interventions to reduce drug use.”
Broader insight
The first test setup with sewage water measurements at approximately twenty locations started in November. The areas covered by the measuring points have been chosen throughout the country to get a better picture of drug use in the Netherlands. This looks at geographical differences in, for example, the composition of the population in terms of age and the distribution between urban and rural areas. By measuring several times a year a number of days a week, an up-to-date overview of drug use becomes available and changes can be quickly noticed. The results provide insight into drug use at a broader geographical level and may identify new trends and developments. This can be of value for the drug policy of the ministries involved.
It was decided to first conduct a pilot study to find out what knowledge and logistics are needed to best carry out the national research. This can then be adjusted if necessary. The pilot will run until the end of 2024, during which the use of cocaine will be measured at five points (for now) by measuring the substance benzoylecgoinine (a substance that cocaine is converted into in the body), amphetamine (speed), methamphetamine (crystal meth). ), MDMA (ecstasy) and designer drugs or new psychoactive substances (3-CMC and 4-CMC). The House of Representatives will be informed (interim) about the progress and results of the investigation. Based on the results, a decision will be made whether the study should be carried out as standard to continue measuring drug use.