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The Guardian - AU
The Guardian - AU
Politics
Donna Lu Science writer

Seven psychoactive drugs detected in Australian wastewater for the first time

Pink coloured Ecstasy tablet
Synthetic drugs including mephedrone, ethylone and eutylone, which have stimulant effects akin to MDMA, have been detected in Australian wastewater. Photograph: Hugh Threlfall/Alamy

Seven psychoactive drugs have been detected in Australian wastewater for the first time, a three-year surveillance program has found.

Wastewater testing has revealed the presence of synthetic drugs including mephedrone (commonly referred to as meow meow), ethylone and eutylone, which have stimulant effects akin to MDMA.

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