After Investigating Large-Scale Sewage Treatment Plants Nationwide... 'Philopon' Detected Everywhere

MFDS Announces Results of 2nd 'Wastewater-Based Illegal Drug Use Behavior Survey'

Sewage treatment plant (not directly related to this article) / Photo by Getty Images Bank

[Asia Economy Reporter Jo In-kyung] Illegal drug components such as Philopon were detected in all 27 large-scale sewage treatment plants nationwide.

The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) disclosed on the 23rd the results of the second "Wastewater-based Epidemiology Survey on the Use of New and Illegal Drugs," conducted over one year from April last year to April this year.

The MFDS has been conducting wastewater-based drug surveys since April 2020 to understand the trends of drug use and distribution in Korea. Samples are collected from sewage treatment plants to analyze the types and amounts of residual drugs, and the estimated drug use per population is calculated considering sewage flow and the population in the sewage collection area.

The analysis assumes that all detected drugs are excreted from the human body. Although variables such as the possibility of discarded drugs entering the sewage and rainfall exist, the survey is meaningful in identifying the types of drugs actually used.

As a result of quarterly regular surveys at 27 large-scale sewage treatment plants nationwide, Philopon was detected at all sites again this year, following 2020. Additionally, Ecstasy was found at 21 sites, Amphetamine at 17 sites, and Cocaine at 4 sites.

In a focused survey conducted for more than a week at 13 sewage treatment plants reflecting regional characteristics such as industrial, port, and recreational areas, Philopon was detected at all sites, Ecstasy at 9 sites, and Amphetamine at 8 sites.

However, the estimated average daily use of drugs such as Philopon in Korea was significantly lower compared to countries like Australia or Europe, where similar surveys are conducted.

The estimated average daily use of Philopon was about 23 mg per 1,000 people, slightly increased from 21 mg in the same areas the previous year, but this is only 3.1% of Australia's level (about 730 mg as of August 2021) and 41% of the European Union's level (about 56 mg as of 2021). The estimated average daily use of Cocaine was about 0.6 mg per 1,000 people, somewhat increased from about 0.3 mg in 2020, but still very low compared to Australia (about 400 mg) and the European Union (about 273 mg).

The MFDS plans to database these results and provide them to drug investigation and control agencies, as well as use them for public awareness campaigns. Furthermore, regular surveys will continue to accumulate data, and to enhance the utilization of results, additional investigations will be conducted in areas requiring focused surveys in consultation with related drug investigation and control agencies.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.