New Zealand is leading an international study into traces of illegal designer drugs in wastewater during the peak summer vacation period last year.

And researchers say it could be due to the lack of a Covid-19 lockdown here around this time last summer, and the high number of New Zealanders who attended festivals and other entertainment events.

A new study from the University of South Australia has found that New Zealanders consume the highest loads of new psychoactive substances (NPS), with “bath salts” being the dominant drug.

For the study, sewage samples were taken for up to nine days during the 2020-2021 New Year period at 25 sites in 10 countries.

While many countries were still stranded during the silly season, New Zealand was the only country that had no Covid restrictions, meaning there were no limitations on social events or gatherings.

Research said the findings may reflect that Kiwis attend festivals and other gatherings where drugs are consumed.

These countries included Australia, China, Fiji, New Zealand, Korea and the United States.

Three sites have been established across New Zealand.

NPS includes a line of drugs designed to mimic established illicit drugs, such as cannabis, cocaine, MDMA, and LSD.

Last year, a drug control organization warned drug users ahead of New Year’s Eve, telling revelers that dangerous drugs are “bloody everywhere.”

At the time, Know Your Stuff said its tests revealed that half of the allegedly MDMA drugs contain dangerous cathinones, also known as “bath salts.”

Associate Professor Cobus Gerber from the University of South Australia and Dr Richard Bade from the University of Queensland presented the results of designer drugs detected in wastewater samples from 10 countries in the new year .

While New Zealand, Australia and Canada had the highest drug use, China and Fiji had the lowest.

Researchers believe these results may reflect the number of sites tested in each country, with Covid lockdowns also affecting the results.

“All samples were collected against the backdrop of the Covid-19 pandemic, as all countries except New Zealand were on lockdown, limiting social interactions and large gatherings,” Gerber said .

“It probably had an impact on the distribution and consumption of certain drugs.”

For the first time each time, traces of two toxic drugs were also detected during this period.

While 3-methylmethcathinone, also known as 3-MMC, was prevalent in Europe, it was the first time it was detected in New Zealand.

High levels of eutylone have been found in New Zealand.

“High levels of eutylon found in New Zealand were confirmed by media reports showing that more than half of the ecstasy pills tested at festivals there over the New Years period were found to be unsuccessful. not contain MDMA but other substitutes like eutylone, “Bade said.

Last month, 14 people were arrested in connection with a drug smuggling ring operating out of Auckland Airport. The group is accused of smuggling or conspiring to smuggle nearly 500 kg of methamphetamine from Malaysia on various inbound flights.

Another 14 people were arrested on Wednesday for suspected drug trafficking between Los Angeles Airport and Auckland since the start of this year.

The group allegedly conspired to import more than 100kg of methamphetamine, which police said caused nearly $ 124 million in social damage.

Researchers detected 11 designer drugs at 24 sites in all countries. A site in Fiji showed no evidence of NPS.

Gerber said wastewater sampling like those taken in this study provides insight into the evolution of drug use.

“Enable health agencies to identify emerging trends so they can take action and minimize damage,” he said.

Drug testing at festivals

In October, it was announced that the festival’s drug control services would receive a government boost of $ 800,000 this summer.

Health Minister Andrew Little said the funding would go towards national coordination of services, training of drug checkers and providing information on the harms of drugs.

He said the government is supporting drug control services to help keep young people safe at major festivals and events this summer.

“It’s not about condoning drug use, it’s about protecting people,” Little said.

“There is clear evidence that having drug control services at festivals changes behavior and reduces harm.”

Last summer was the first time that drug control services, in which drugs are checked to see if they match what people think they are, were legalized.

Only people fully vaccinated against Covid-19 will be allowed to attend events and festivals.