USA: One big drug test for L.A.: sewage analysis

Experts are examining the outflow in several U.S. and European cities, and the data can be revealing. Which city uses more cocaine: Los Angeles or London? Is heroin a big problem in San Diego? And has Ecstasy emerged in rural America?

Environmental scientists are beginning to use an unsavory new tool — raw sewage — to paint an accurate portrait of drug abuse in communities. Like one big, citywide urinalysis, tests at municipal sewage plants in many areas of the United States and Europe, including Los Angeles County, have detected illicit drugs such as cocaine, methamphetamine, heroin and marijuana. (…)

By Marla Cone, June 24, 2008

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