KOB 4 News (Albuquerque, NM) reports that the State of New Mexico has begun the testing of wastewater from several Albuquerque, New Mexico high schools for illicit drugs. The testing is part of Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham’s current Public Health Order (“PHO”), effective October 6, 2023. The PHO may be viewed HERE or downloaded from FGGAM HERE.
The State of New Mexico has also published a webpage titled “Wastewater Drug Monitoring Dashboard” where all of the schools-related wastewater test results have been posted. The dashboard may be viewed HERE.
In summary, testing over several months occurred at 24 Albuquerque metro high schools, with samples collected every 15 minutes during the school day using an automated sampling device. Initial test results released on Wednesday, December 13, 2023, revealed traces of fentanyl in about 25% of the tested schools, but the real surprise was the presence of cocaine in 18 of the 24 sampled high schools.
The KOB 4 News article may be read HERE.
My brothers and sisters, the results seem to point to consistent drug use (beyond opiods and amphetamines such as Adderall, which may be legally prescribed and used). It’s also important to note that the wastewater test results include opioids and metabolites excreted by school teachers, staff and contractors or guests – not only students.
What is not included in these test results is the pervasiveness of marijuana use by students, teachers and staff, as wastewater testing does not include tetrahydrocannabinol (“THC”), the psychoactive chemical in marijuana, as marijuana use is now considered legal in New Mexico for both medicinal and recreational use. This does not mean that marijuana use in high schools (and otherwise) is safe and free from side effects. The NIH’s National Institute On Drug Use has a very informative article HERE.
Also of concern is the position of the Biden Administration regarding control of the United States borders, which is a position shared by New Mexico Governor Lujan Grisham. It has been well documented in national news agency stories and testimony before Congress that illicit drugs (e.g., fentanyl, cocaine) has increasingly passed unchecked through the southern border, with violent Mexican cartels, gangs and traffickers (both human and drug) routinely taking advantage of the United States lax immigration policies.
Although it’s been a problem for years, our culture is quickly becoming saturated with drugs, illicit or otherwise, to the point where the use of mind-altering substances is becoming culturally acceptable. Students who have not matured mentally or physically into adulthood and gained the requisite wisdom that can only be attained by faith in Christ and experience are suffering the consequences – the full effect of which may not be understood or fully known until years from now.
As believers, let’s pray for our children, their families, teachers and staff, that godly wisdom would prevail over the deceit and pleasure-focused agenda of the evil one. Let’s also pray for our national, state and local governmental leaders, some of whom seem to view the generation of relatively inconsequential tax dollars as being worth the risk or sometimes destruction of lives resulting from lax border control and government-sponsored and endorsed production, sales and use of marijuana.
Some scripture for consideration:
Proverbs 2:6 (NKJV)
“For the Lord gives wisdom; [f]rom His mouth come knowledge and understanding…”.
1 Corinthians 3:19 (NLT)
“For the wisdom of this world is foolishness to God. As the Scriptures say, ‘He traps the wise in the snare of their own cleverness.’”
And, let’s always remember that the battle is spiritual, not simply what we see with our eyes in the natural:
Ephesians 6:12 (NKJV)
“For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, [and] against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.”
Praise Jesus forevermore!