Tauranga wastewater testing an insight into drug use

Chris Wilkins is the lead researcher testing wastewater from two locations in Tauranga over the four month study. Photo/ Supplied

The types of drugs used in Tauranga and the amount being consumed could be determined through wastewater testing.

Samples were being supplied by the Tauranga City Council to the SHORE & Whāriki Research Centre at the College of Health of Massey University in Auckland.

Researchers were measuring the levels of alcohol, tobacco and drugs found in the wastewater taken from main inlet pipes at the treatment plants on Te Maunga and Chapel Sts.

The study is a nationwide project taking place at 20 locations and samples were being provided one weekend a month over four months.

Chris Wilkins, drugs team leader at the SHORE & Whāriki Research Centre, said the purpose of the research was to get reliable data about the use of drugs and alcohol in smaller towns and cities such as Tauranga.

The research was a pilot programme which Wilkins hoped would be successful in highlighting the substances used in the area and how the community could be helped.

Wilkins said his team of researchers worked closely with the Community Action on Youth and Drugs (CAYAD) group who were interested in gaining a better understanding of substance abuse in Tauranga.

CAYAD health and social services manager Taurua Faulkner said the organisation found there was not enough data or evidence on methamphetamine use in the area.

"The anecdotal evidence that we are receiving from the communities that we are involved in shows that there is a steady increase of people using methamphetamine."

Faulkner said by working with Massey University researchers it would provide "a means to get some actual and unassuming evidence of methamphetamine saturation in our city".

Tauranga Western Bay Safer Communities programme chairman Philip King said the research was important because there was a lack of documented research "about the size of the methamphetamine issue in Tauranga and wider Western Bay of Plenty sub-region".

King said there was a lack of information on the impact this issue had on the local community.

"It is hoped that the data from the testing highlights the extent of methamphetamine use which links to the associated harm the drug causes families and the community."

Tauranga city waters manager Steve Burton said the research was anonymous.

"This is the combined wastewater of the whole city, so no individual, household or even suburb can be identified."

Western Bay of Plenty area commander Inspector Clifford Paxton said finding out which drugs were used in Tauranga would be helpful to police.

He said the research would allow police to have evidence of drug use instead of "anecdotal" information that may be incorrect.

Bay of Plenty District Health Board clinical director Dr Sue Mackersey said there were some people in Tauranga who had a problem with drug use.

"The numbers of people presenting for help with drug use fluctuate and the drugs that are being used change over time."

Mackersey said it was "always useful" to have information about patterns of drug abuse.

Results from the study would be available in February next year.