Nantucket has an unusually high level of cocaine in the water, with
There must be something in the water in Nantucket. Specifically, cocaine – and lots of it.
Nantucket, an island off the coast of Massachusetts, is no stranger to the Colombian Marching Powder. The region is known as a playground for the wealthy who flock to its shores and enjoy the party lifestyle. But perhaps revellers are getting amongst it a little too much of late. Up to three times the national average of metabolite produced by human use of the drug was found in town’s wastewater after recent testing.
The remote isle, situated south-east of Martha’s Vineyard in the Atlantic Ocean, serves as an exclusive and sought-after summer haven for the wealthy, boasting pristine shores, charming cedar-clad structures and cobblestone lanes, plus traditional New England beacons and fresh catches.
The destination has earned fame as a beloved spot for A-listers and high-profile political figures, including former US presidents John F Kennedy, Bill Clinton and Joe Biden.
While initial findings in September revealed cocaine traces already 50% above national averages, massive spikes were observed in October and December.
It got so bad the town’s health and human services department put out a warning, urging locals there were “dangerous amounts” of the drug.
“Nantucket, like communities across the country, is not immune to the growing public health crisis of substance misuse and overdose,” said a statement on the official website of the town and county of Nantucket. It highlighted that the town’s population swells fourfold during summer months, creating a “unique challenge of managing behavioural health risks”.
The accompanying findings revealed cocaine concentrations hitting their highest point on 14 October last year at 2,948.70 nanograms per litre, nearly three times the US average of roughly 900-1,000 ng/L, and considerably above regional norms.
Nantucket’s reading exceeded 2,800 ng/L once more just three days prior to Christmas.
“The data will help identify concerning patterns, such as sustained increases in certain drug markers, that can guide timely, evidence-based interventions. If a prolonged spike in stimulant use is observed, the town can coordinate educational outreach, screening efforts or peer-led recovery support tailored to that substance,” the statement said.
The ‘buzz’ that’s been created by the drug seems to have attracted the attention of ICE, with a huge presence of Trump’s enforcers felt on Nantucket shores over the last year.
Last summer officers carried out a special operation to “remove all illegal aliens” from the island, with footage showing ICE agents sitting on boats surrounding the island. The vessels – presumably more buoyant than usual given the narcotics-to-wave ratio – were full of officers wearing bulletproof vests.
“It’s sad and it’s shameful to see the immigrants who make our communities function, particularly in these most busy summer months, be targeted and harassed,” said Massachusetts state Senator Julian Cyr at the time.
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