Media Report: Cocaine is widely present in the water of some of Northern Ireland | How to order Skittles Moonrock online

Cocaine is widely present in the water of some of Northern Ireland’s major lakes and rivers, a new study has found.

Scientists found the Class A drug, and its by-product, in 91% of almost 140 water samples collected in different locations from five waterways – the River Lagan, River Bush, Dundrum, Lough Neagh and Lough Erne.

Ketamine and amphetamine, two Class B drugs that are also used as pharmaceuticals, were also found as well as painkillers and antidepressants.

Dr Billy Hunter, the lead author of the study, said it highlighted that drugs of abuse were not “solely an urban problem; they are present right across Northern Ireland”.

The research, conducted by the Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute (AFBI), in collaboration with Imperial College London, focused on raw water in rivers and lakes, not drinking water that comes from our taps.

While there is no risk to human or pet health from interacting with the water, the study does raise concern for ecosystem health and reflects the extent of drug use in Northern Ireland.

Dr Hunter told The State of Us podcast that while cocaine was detected in high levels in and around Belfast, mostly due to its population, he was surprised to find it was “broadly everywhere”.

“One of the interesting things is actually the fact that it was showing up quite strongly in places like Lough Erne, which is maybe because it’s a recreation hotspot.”

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https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c8r3vk8dvj2o