Sharks on Drugs

While it seems farfetched, it is not: sharks living off the coast of Brazil have tested positive for cocaine.

Research scientists at the Oswaldo Cruz Foundation in Brazil made the discovery and published it in the journal. Science of the Total Environment.

They tested 13 Brazilian sharp-nose sharks in the waters off Rio de Janeiro and found cocaine present in both the liver and muscle tissue of all 13 specimens. Scientists believe there are several ways cocaine can get into fish: Waste from drug users' bodies entering the sewage system, "clandestine" cocaine-refining laboratories disposing of pure cocaine into Brazilian waters, and people intentionally dumping the contraband. It's conceivable sharks could ingest cocaine found in discarded or lost bales. (It seems like monthly, for example, Cozumel police find cocaine bails on their shores.)

In 2019, researchers in the United Kingdom found traces of illicit drugs, pharmaceuticals, and pesticides in freshwater shrimp, while scientists working in Puget Sound in Washington state said that mussels in the area had tested positive for the opioid oxycodone.

Humans need to keep all drugs out of our waters, illicit and prescription. Rather than flush unused drugs down toilets, turn them in at legitimate disposal centers found at drug stores, fire stations, and other locations.

P.S.: The recent movie Cocaine Bear was lightly based on a true story. In 1985, a 175-pound. Georgia black bear stumbled across a duffle bag with cocaine dropped from the air by a pilot trying to avoid being caught. The cocaine appeared appetizing to the bear, probably because it was cut with flour or baking soda, and, like antifreeze, smelled sweet to a bear. The bear did not go on a rampage. He died a painful death in about 45 minutes.