Temporal monitoring of stimulants during the COVID-19 pandemic in Belgium through the analysis of influent wastewater

Background and aims: Wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) is a complementary epidemiological data source to monitor stimulant consumption. The aims were to: (i) study intra-and inter-year temporal changes in stimu-lant use in Belgium during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic; and (ii) evaluate the effect of COVID-19 restrictive measures on stimulant consumption. Methods: The study population corresponded to the catchments of four wastewater treatment plants correspond-ing with four Belgian cities (i.e., Antwerp-Zuid, Boom, Brussels, Leuven). Daily 24-h composite influent wastew-ater samples collected over one week in September 2019 and March through June 2020 during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic were analyzed for biomarkers of amphetamine, cocaine, methamphetamine and 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA). Measured concentrations were converted to population-normalized mass loads by considering the daily flow rate and the catchment population size. Mobile network data was used to accurately capture population movements in the different catchment areas. Temporal changes were assessed with multiple linear regression models, and the effect of the COVID-19 interventions on stimulant consumption were investigated. Results: An increase in amphetamine use was observed in three cities during governmental restrictions, with highest consumption predominantly during lockdown. Similarly, cocaine consumption was higher after the pan-demic started, with highest consumption noted during the lockdown period in Boom and Leuven. Consumption of MDMA was similar in Antwerp-Zuid, Brussels and Leuven throughout the entire sampled period. In Boom, the highest consumption was observed during the full lockdown period. Conclusions: The present study shows the potential of WBE to assess the impact of stringent lockdown measures on stimulant use in Belgium. This paper shows that strong restrictive measures did not have a profound effect on stimulant consumption.

Automated summary

This study examined the changes in stimulant use during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Belgium using wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE). The results showed an increase in amphetamine and cocaine use during the lockdown period, while the consumption of MDMA remained stable. The study suggests that strict restrictive measures had limited impact on stimulant consumption.