TBA Law Blog


Posted by: Azya Thornton on Nov 13, 2024

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) is proposing a $3 million pilot project to test sewage from Knoxville-area high schools, college dorms and other locations for illicit drugs, the Tennessee Lookout reports. If the budget for the project is approved, testing will initially begin on wastewater from 12 public high schools and 16 college dorms, with 120 Knoxville locations potentially also being selected for testing at the TBI’s discretion. Results of school and dorm-based wastewater testing can help keep parents and school administrators informed about student drug use, the paper reports. Testing sewage for illicit drug use is underway in 70 U.S. cities as part of a National Institute on Drug Abuse-funded program intended to help guide cities in where they need to focus resources in preventing overdose deaths.