Crackdown on illicit drugs detects rise in 'designer' drug substitutes via wastewater monitoring, flagging pentylone and other NPS

Novel psychoactive substances (NPS) are shifting in Australia, and wastewater monitoring shows a sharp rise in the synthetic cathinone pentylone. A University of South Australia research effort using Australia’s National Wastewater Drug Monitoring Program analyzed wastewater from treatment plants (Feb 22-23) and found 20 different NPS at every collection site where pentylone appeared, with other commonly detected compounds including eutylone and phenibut. Pentylone was detected across all states and territories by December 2022 after rising from about 25% frequency in April 2022. The report frames pentylone as a highly potent, unpredictable “bath salts” stimulant-like drug, noting that faster wear-off and stronger effects can contribute to more frequent use. The monitoring approach is presented as an early warning system for emerging, unregulated drugs with limited toxicity data and evolving chemical substitutes under law enforcement crackdowns.