Poll: Most St. Louisans Unaware of Dangerous Opioids in School Wastewater

But overwhelming majority support monitoring once informed, survey finds

Apr. 4, 2026 at 3:08am

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A translucent, ghostly X-ray photograph of a school water pipe, with the internal structure and flow of the liquid glowing with an eerie, neon-like quality, conceptually representing the unseen presence of dangerous synthetic opioids in the local water supply.An X-ray view of school infrastructure reveals the hidden presence of dangerous synthetic opioids in the local water supply, raising urgent concerns about student safety.St. Louis Today

A new poll from researchers at the Washington University in St. Louis School of Public Health found that most St. Louis-area adults are unaware of the presence of nitazenes - a dangerous class of synthetic opioids up to 10 times more potent than fentanyl - in local school wastewater. However, once informed, around 77% of respondents supported testing for these substances in schools.

Why it matters

The detection of these highly potent opioids in school wastewater is a concerning public health issue, as nitazenes have been linked to a rise in overdose deaths. Raising awareness and support for monitoring is crucial to addressing this emerging threat to student safety.

The details

The findings come from iHeard St. Louis, a rapid-response public health program, which found that just 12% of respondents had heard of nitazenes and only 11% knew they had been detected in local school wastewater. However, once informed, about 77% supported testing in schools, compared to only 4% who opposed it. The survey also explored public attitudes toward government and school-based wastewater monitoring more broadly, with respondents calling for education, transparency, and parental notification if the substances are found.

  • In 2026, the Missouri Department of Public Safety conducted a voluntary wastewater monitoring program at 37 schools statewide, with 26 testing positive for nitazenes.

The players

Washington University in St. Louis School of Public Health

The institution that conducted the iHeard St. Louis survey and research on the public's awareness and attitudes towards the detection of nitazenes in local school wastewater.

Missouri Department of Public Safety

The agency that screened 37 schools statewide for the presence of nitazenes in wastewater, with 26 testing positive.

Matt Kreuter

The Kahn Family Professor of Public Health at Washington University in St. Louis, who commented on the significance of the survey findings.

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What they’re saying

“We released this week's iHeard alert early because of the significant local attention to this issue. The findings are notable, particularly the public support for testing.”

— Matt Kreuter, Kahn Family Professor of Public Health, Washington University in St. Louis

What’s next

Health officials are urging the public to be prepared by carrying naloxone, a medication that can reverse opioid overdoses, which is widely available at no cost in many communities. If someone is unresponsive and an overdose is suspected, naloxone should be administered immediately and emergency assistance should be called.

The takeaway

This case highlights the critical need to raise awareness about the presence of highly potent synthetic opioids like nitazenes in local communities, as well as the importance of proactive monitoring and education to address this emerging public health threat and protect student safety.