5 ms·
This isn't estimating drug abuse, it's estimating drug use. Wastewater measurements alone are not enough to determine how much of that use is harmful.
by mrob 11y ago
This isn't estimating drug abuse, it's estimating drug use. Wastewater measurements alone are not enough to determine how much of that use is harmful.
- nefitty 11y agoWhat about in relation to population density in a given area and estimated water use per person?
- mrob 11y agoIt can't distinguish low use by everybody vs. heavy use by a few. And some people may be harmed by low use, while others may be unharmed by heavy use.
- vintermann 11y agoIt doesn't have to distinguish, because there's a rather predictable relationship between total use and heavy use - the usual old "pareto principle". Similarly, total use is a very good proxy for harms.
- x5n1 11y agoIt's all harmful, baby. Now show us the funding! -DEA
- cmdrfred 11y ago*unless it's prescribed by a doctor for "back pain", then heroin is a-ok!
- danieltiIlett 11y agoBack pain can't get bad enough to need that kind of treatment. Don't you know we're in the middle of a Opioid Epidemic that's killing white children?
- baldfat 11y agoSo how much cocaine or heroine is non-harmful? I would even say cannabis is also shown to be harmful cognitively unless someone stops for 4 weeks but I digress.
- doyoulikeworms 11y agoEvery drug has its physical costs. Some more than others. Alcohol, for instance, has no non-harmful dose-- even one glass of wine with dinner is bad for your body-- but many people drink throughout their long healthy lives. That said, "harmful" drug use in this case likely refers to exceptional harm, perhaps including addiction or overdose. You can be given, essentially, heroin at the hospital if in extreme pain. Would you consider this to be "non-harmful"? I would.
- cname 11y agoAbout cannabis, you would say that based on what?
- deleted 11y ago[deleted]
- baldfat 11y agoMultiple of research studies. The long term harm has been ruled out but short term of days and weeks is shown in multiple of studies in regards to harm to cognitive and memory.
- Johnny555 11y agoHow do you define "non-harmful"? I've known a number of senior executives in well known tech companies who are regular users (weekend partiers) of a number of drugs ranging from marijuana to cocaine, heroin and LSD. They are fortunate enough to have enough income to buy quality product, not cut with harmful chemicals. Given that they lead very successful lives, I think the drug use is not harmful to them currently. Perhaps as they age out of their 40's and 50's the drug use will become more of a burden on their bodies, but there are certainly lots of lifestyle choices that are harmful to one's health that don't include any drugs at all.