Louisiana researchers turn to psychedelics to combat pervasive Caddo Parish meth crisis
By Crystal Webb
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SHREVEPORT, La. (KTBS) — Wastewater in Caddo Parish contains some of the highest levels of methamphetamine in the world, according to new research from LSU Health Shreveport.
The findings, presented to the Caddo Parish Commission this week, indicate the illicit stimulant is prevalent across all communities within the parish. Researchers have monitored local wastewater for controlled substances since 2020 and are partnering with regional laboratories to map drug concentrations by ZIP code.
Kevin Murnane, an associate professor at LSU Health Shreveport, said the data reflects heavy human consumption rather than discarded prescription medications. Researchers confirmed this by detecting amphetamine — the chemical byproduct created when the human body metabolizes methamphetamine.
“Although there are areas that are higher … it’s that every area is high, and some areas are extraordinarily high,” Murnane said. “So, it seems like there’s methamphetamine use happening in every community and every part of Caddo Parish.”
LSU Health officials emphasized that public drinking water remains safe. Test results indicate municipal water treatment facilities are successfully removing the substances, with no significant drug levels detected in water leaving the plants.
To address the findings, LSU Health Shreveport is deploying more than $1 million allocated by Caddo Parish in 2024. derived from an opioid settlement, the funding serves as seed money for seven research projects and 29 scientist trainees focusing on treatments for substance abuse and post-traumatic stress disorder.
One primary area of study examines the use of psychedelics, including psilocybin, to treat methamphetamine addiction. Early trials have yielded promising results, prompting the Louisiana Legislature to unanimously pass a bill supporting the research.
The local initiative aligns with recent federal actions. In April, President Donald Trump signed an executive order to accelerate research into psychedelic therapies. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has also issued fast-track priority review vouchers to incentivize companies studying substances such as psilocybin and methylone.
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