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NC Town to Check Wastewater to Measure Opioid Use

Officials hope the 12-week project provides another tool in developing programs that help people at risk.

CARY, NC (AP) - A North Carolina city is launching a monitoring project that will target wastewater to determine how many opioids are being consumed.

The town of Cary says on its website that the project would measure opioid metabolic waste. Officials hope the 12-week project provides another tool in developing programs that help people at risk.

Officials said the town is working with Biobot Analytics, a company that provides opioid testing and data analytics services. Town workers will install and operate wastewater sampling devices within the sewer system. Ten sampling locations have been designated, and the devices will not impact the sewer system.

According to the town, Cary experienced a 40 percent increase in fatal overdoses in 2017, and a 70 percent increase of overdoses overall.

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