Wastewater Drug Sampling in New Mexico’s Public Schools

In 2023, New Mexico Governor Michelle Grisham declared a public health emergency due to drug abuse. In response, the New Mexico Department of Health directed the New Mexico Environment Department to test wastewater at public schools for illicit substances and selected metabolites. NMED contracted with ERG to provide technical support and logistical coordination for a statewide wastewater testing program on drugs of abuse in public and charter high schools.

ERG promptly prepared a project plan, including a wastewater monitoring protocol, and identified and prioritized sampling locations. We conducted virtual or on-site reconnaissance at schools, compiled information on school enrollment and attendance, collected on-site wastewater samples, and coordinated sampling logistics with our subcontractors. Composite samplers were used to collect passive wastewater samples every 15 minutes. Laboratory analyses were conducted for 15 drugs of abuse and their metabolites. ERG then compiled the field and analytical data in our project database, analyzed and interpreted sampling results, assessed strengths and limitations of the data, developed a public-facing dashboard to share with the public, and authored most of the project’s summary report. Overall, ERG sampled wastewater from 184 schools attended by nearly 100,000 students, at the cost of about $7 per student. ERG’s work has provided a strong baseline of data for public health officials and policy makers to examine intervention effectiveness in New Mexico’s schools and communities. The Wall Street Journal, National Public Radio (NPR), and multiple other national news outlets have run features on this landmark project.