National Drug Intelligence Bureau. Environmental Science and Research

Transcription

1 National Drug Intelligence Bureau & Environmental Science and Research

2 Wastewater Analysis for Illicit Drug Use A Joint Presentation

3 Chemical Analysis of Wastewater Samples to Monitor the Use of Illicit Drugs Ellen Ashmore May 2017

4 Wastewater-based Epidemiology Approach Drugs in wastewater comes under the discipline of wastewater-based epidemiology, which is the study of Wastewater from Cities wastewater for factors related to health in the population. In this instance, the project studies drugs and metabolites as an indication of drug use in the community. Population and Wastewater Treatment Plant Statistics Community Health Drug Use Laboratory Analysis This complements existing methods of drug intelligence gathering. International Literature

5 Collaboration at ESR Environmental Science Group providing chemistry, water science, mathematical, and wastewater treatment plant expertise: ESR Area of Expertise Position and Group Andrew Chappell Analytical Chemistry Scientist Food Chemistry Ellen Ashmore Analytical Chemistry Scientist Risk and Response Dr Brent Gilpin Water Microbiology, Molecular Epidemiology Science Leader Food, Water and Biowastes Dr David Wood Bioinformatics and Statistics Senior Scientist Risk and Response Dr Louise Weaver Wastewater and Groundwater Microbiology Senior Scientist Food, Water and Biowastes Seamus Watson Analytical Chemistry Technician Food Chemistry Forensic Group providing drug, metabolite and forensic advice: ESR Area of Expertise Position and Group Cameron Johnson Drugs of abuse, medicines and Senior Scientist Forensic Drug psychoactive substances Chemistry Ben Bogun Hannah Partington Forensic investigation of suspected clandestine drug laboratories Drugs of abuse, medicines and psychoactive substances Senior Scientist Clandestine Laboratories Team Leader Forensic Drug Chemistry Diana Kappatos Forensic Toxicology Senior Scientist Toxicology

6 Drugs in wastewater analysis around the World Drugs in wastewater as a estimation of drug use in the community has been studied all over the World, from Europe to Australia and now New Zealand. The concept started in Europe over 10 years ago and since then comprehensive testing of wastewater all over Europe continues to create important drug use data. Screenshot of EMCDDA interactive map r analysis The European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA) are leaders in the field of drugs in wastewater research.

7 Estimation of drug usage Estimation of drug usage is based on analysis of wastewater and is dependent on the interaction of a number of factors:

8 Estimation of drug usage Estimation of drug usage is based on analysis of wastewater and is dependent on the interaction of a number of factors: Sample Collection Extraction and analysis: Sample extraction by solid phase extraction (SPE) and analysed by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC MS/MS) in laboratory Determination of the concentration of drugs and metabolites in wastewater Back calculations to determine population usage

9 Drugs and metabolites We are studying five drugs and their associated metabolites. The metabolites were chosen based on suitability for analysis, excretion rates, uniqueness to the parent drug compound, and out of scientific interest. Drug Methamphetamine Cocaine α PVP Heroin MDMA/ecstasy (3,4 methylenedioxymethamphetamine) Metabolite(s) 4 hydroxy N methylamphetamine Benzoylecgonine Ecgonine methyl ester Scientific literature has not identified any suitable metabolites 6 monoacetylmorphine (6 MAM) Morphine 4 hydroxy 3 methoxymethamphetamine (HMMA) Methamphetamine Cocaine α-pvp Heroin MDMA

10 Sampling One week, every month for a year 7 samples from each site every month 24-hour composite samples from Rosedale in Auckland, and Christchurch Sample bottles are provided by ESR Bottles contain 0.8 ml concentration HCl to ensure the drugs in the samples remain stable during transportation to ESR

11 Sample preparation Method adapted from Baker and Kasprzyk-Hordern (2011) Each sample is filtered twice in the lab at ESR GF/D filter - particle retention of approx. 2.7 µm GF/F filter particle retention of approx. 0.7 µm Samples are acidified to ph Deuterated analogue of each group of drugs (internal standard) is added to each sample to account for losses during extraction Baker DR, Kasprzyk Hordern B. (2011) Multi residue analysis of drugs of abuse in wastewater and surface water by solid phase extraction and liquid chromatographypositive electrospray ionisation tandem mass spectrometry. Journal of Chromatography A; 1218(12):

12 Sample extraction Solid phase extraction (SPE) using Oasis MCX cartridges Automated column conditioning, sample extraction and column elution Sample reconstitution Further concentration of the sample to increase method sensitivity Wastewater is concentrated 400 times

13 Back Calculations Raw instrument data Analysis of samples by LC MS/MS Concentration of drug or metabolite in wastewater (µg/l) Concentration factor applied to raw data to adjust for laboratory methods Load (g/day) Calculation adjusting for WWPT flow data Load: excretion rate correction (g/day) Correction for excretion rate, taken from scientific literature Total weekly drug load (g/week) Summation of Day 1 to Day 7 Loads Daily drug use population normalised (mg/day/1000 people) Adjust for population size that the WWPT serves Weekly drug use (mg/week/1000 people) Summation of Day 1 to Day 7 Drug use

14 Results Drug use (mg/week/1000 people) Drug use (mg/week/1000 people) Dec 2016 Methamphetamine Jan 2017 Feb Mar Month Apr 2017 May 2017 Christchurch Auckland (Rosedale)

15 Results Drug use (mg/week/1000 people) Cocaine Drug use (mg/week/1000 people) Dec 2016 Jan 2017 Feb Mar Month Apr 2017 May 2017 Christchurch Auckland (Rosedale)

16 Results Drug use (mg/week/1000 people) Drug use (mg/week/1000 people) Dec 2016 Jan 2017 Feb Mar Month MDMA Apr 2017 May 2017 Christchurch Auckland (Rosedale)

17 Results April 2017 (mg/day/1000 people) Population normalised (mg/day/1000 people) Methamphetamine Christchurch Auckland (Rosedale) April 2017

18 Results April 2017 (mg/day/1000 people) Population normalised (mg/day/1000 people) Cocaine Christchurch Auckland (Rosedale) April 2017

19 Results April 2017 (mg/day/1000 people) Population normalised (mg/day/1000 people) MDMA Christchurch Auckland (Rosedale) April 2017

20 Information we are able to provide: Drug loads in the community (g/day) Drug use per 1000 people (mg/day/1000 people) After 6 months of testing, we can determine trends and patterns in drug use over the course of a week, especially important for party drugs Information that could be derived: Number of doses of drug consumed per 1000 people, based on the average mass of one dose (doses/day/1000 people) The effectiveness of public health education The effectiveness of re-classification of drugs The effectiveness border security, drug seizures etc. Comparisons with existing intelligence data

21 The Future: Study more towns and cities Study further illicit and prescribed drugs to the suite of analysis, for example, cannabis, amphetamine, ketamine, methadone etc. Expanding to different communities or events Study the relationship between alcohol and drugs of abuse

22 Acknowledgements Project Leader Andrew Chappell Seamus Watson, Food Chemistry, ESR All of the team members across ESR The whole of ESR for their support of this project Funding provided by the New Zealand Police, National Drug Intelligence Bureau.

23 Contact details are also on our poster Andrew Chappell T: E: Ellen Ashmore T: E: 2014 ESR

24 More on results Evidence Based Data Testing Site: Christchurch Total Grams per Week December 2016 January 2017 February 2017 March 2017 April 2017 Methamphetamine Cocaine Not detected a-pvp Not detected Not detected Not detected Not detected Not detected MDMA Heroin Not detected Not detected Not detected 0 Not detected Testing Site: Auckland Total Grams per Week December 2016 January 2017 February 2017 March 2017 April 2017 Methamphetamine Cocaine a-pvp Not detected Not detected Not detected Not detected Not detected MDMA Heroin Not detected Not detected Not detected Not detected Not detected

25 Cocaine Cocaine seizures are variable with few consistent year to year trends. 35 kilogram seizure of cocaine in 2016; the largest ever single seizure Increased seizures made in 2016 indicate demand is growing. Offshore Seizure in kg seizure in April 2017 NDIB Assessment to be undertaken Grams 40,000 35,000 30,000 25,000 20,000 15,000 10,000 5,000 0 Annual Seizure Quantity Police Customs Christchurch's secret: 'Very high' cocaine use in city, report says: St John reports cocaine use has been "very high" in Christchurch since the earthquakes. Dec Nil result in WW Jan grams Feb grams March grams April grams

26 MDMA Level of MDMA in Christchurch of interest. Refocus of collection requirements Working with other agencies and NGO s Three in court for Christchurch Airport drugs bust

27 Methamphetamine Operationalise the Data: Developing the drug picture: Police Seizure Customs Seizure Pre Cursors Waste Water Human Source Data NGO Data Salvation Army etc Health Needle Exchange University Police SLT meeting Strategic Meeting with Health Line up Addiction service / Needle Exchange. OUTCOME: Better Service / Better Education. CIB target imports before risk times Fri, Sat, Sun.

28 Aussie NZ comparison Population normalised (mg/day/1000 people) Methamphetamine consumption per 1000 people per day Christchurch Auckland (Rosedale) Estimated average consumption of methylamphetamine for capital city sites and regional sites by state/territory. April 2017 Estimated New Zealand daily consumption ranges between mg/1000 people per day Estimated Australian national average consumption ~1000 mg/1000 people per day

29 Benefits Establish an accurate measure of the drug use in the population by collecting, prevalence drug types time patterns geographical area Supplements and validates information collected from current monitoring systems. Provide information into an early warning system. Less resource intensive than surveys. Non invasive and objective. Inform treatment and enforcement policy and strategy in a timely manner. Measure the efficacy of supply control/demand reduction intervention. Compare with international data.

30 One Piece of the Puzzle Seizure data Other intel Surveys Informant information Hospital data Mortality data Intelligence holdings International reporting Helpline calls Liaison officers Drug Treatment Providers

31 Questions