Recent testing of wastewater in Nantucket, Massachusetts, has highlighted a startling issue: cocaine levels have been detected at rates up to three times the national average. The testing initiative, launched by local officials last summer, was part of a broader effort to monitor high-risk substances including opioids. Nantucket, an upscale summer destination known for its beautiful landscapes and wealthy visitors, has now become a focal point for discussions about substance use in otherwise serene and affluent communities.

The town of Nantucket, which attracts a plethora of notable residents and tourists, is not typically associated with high drug use rates, which adds another layer of complexity to the findings. In September, initial tests indicated cocaine levels 50% higher than the national average. However, subsequent tests in October and December showed alarming increases, reaching levels deemed