Challenges associated with the detection of new psychoactive substances using wastewater analysis

There has been considerable concern around the use of new psychoactive substances (NPS), but little is known about how much they are really used. Monitoring NPS use is arduous and different sources of information are required to gain greater insight of their prevalence. While forensic groups are typically the frontline of the identification of NPS, wastewater analysis has become a complementary tool. This presentation will explore the analytical challenges associated with their detection in wastewater as well as the application of wastewater analysis for temporal and spatial trends of NPS use in Australia and over festival periods.

Richard Bade is a Research Fellow in the Population Health Chemistry Group at the University of South Australia with a primary research focus on the monitoring of new psychoactive substances in wastewater. He also works closely with QAEHS on the National Wastewater Drug Monitoring Program.