Baz-Lomba Jose Antonio, van Nuijs AlexanderL N, Lenart-Boroń Anna, Péterfi Anna, de l'Eprevier Anne, Löve Arndís Sue Ching, Kasprzyk-Hordern Barbara, Ort Christoph, Simeoni Elisabetta, Heath Ester, Pridotkiene Evelina, Lai Foon Yin, Béen Frederic, Oberacher Herbert, Bodík Igor, Valenčić Iva, Slobodnik Jaroslav, Strandberg Joakim, Sheeran Kevin, Smit-Rigter Laura Alexandra, Barron Leon P, Bijlsma Lubertus, Psichoudaki Magda, Savvidou Maria, Edland-Gryt Marit, Busch Martin, Jandl Mateja, Bertram Michael G, de Alda Miren López, Berndt Nadine, Daglioglu Nebile, Thomaidis Nikolaos, Fabien Loïc, Chomynova Pavla, Oertel Reinhard, Castiglioni Sara, Mercan Selda, Akgür Serap Annette, Schneider Serge, Gunnar Teemu, Ter Laak Thomas L, Thiebault Thomas, Matias João Pedro
Department of Infection Control and Preparedness, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway.
Toxicological Center, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610, Antwerp, Belgium.
Public Health. 2025 Apr;241:158-163. doi: 10.1016/j.puhe.2025.02.009. Epub 2025 Feb 27.
Illicit drug use presents a significant challenge to global health and public safety, requiring innovative and effective monitoring strategies. This study aimed to evaluate the current landscape of wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) for monitoring illicit drugs in Europe, focusing on collaboration, current practices, and barriers, while identifying opportunities for improvement.
Cross-sectional survey-based study.
Coordinated by the Sewage Analysis CORe Group Europe (SCORE) and the European Union Drugs Agency (EUDA), two surveys were conducted in 2023 targeting researchers and stakeholders using WBE for illicit drugs. Data were analysed to identify trends, gaps, and opportunities for improving WBE implementation.
The findings indicate a robust research infrastructure and diverse analytical methods among European institutions. Two-thirds of the participating countries reported using WBE data to inform policy. However, challenges persist, particularly in securing funding and coordination, as well as generating national estimates from multiple locations and addressing specific local policy needs.
WBE has proven to be a valuable tool for monitoring illicit drug trends and informing drug policies. To unlock its full potential, sustained funding, methodological standardization, and enhanced cooperation are essential. This study provides critical insights into the European WBE landscape, offering a roadmap for strengthening the integration of actionable WBE data into public health and policy frameworks.
非法药物的使用对全球健康和公共安全构成了重大挑战，需要创新且有效的监测策略。本研究旨在评估欧洲基于废水流行病学（WBE）监测非法药物的现状，重点关注合作、当前实践和障碍，同时确定改进机会。
基于横断面调查的研究。
由欧洲污水分析核心小组（SCORE）和欧盟毒品局（EUDA）协调，2023年针对使用WBE监测非法药物的研究人员和利益相关者进行了两项调查。对数据进行分析，以确定改进WBE实施的趋势、差距和机会。
研究结果表明欧洲各机构拥有强大的研究基础设施和多样的分析方法。三分之二的参与国报告称使用WBE数据为政策提供信息。然而，挑战依然存在，尤其是在确保资金和协调方面，以及从多个地点生成国家估计数和满足特定地方政策需求方面。
WBE已被证明是监测非法药物趋势和为毒品政策提供信息的宝贵工具。为充分发挥其潜力，持续的资金投入、方法标准化和加强合作至关重要。本研究对欧洲WBE现状提供了关键见解，为将可操作的WBE数据更好地整合到公共卫生和政策框架中提供了路线图。
