Methods to transform illicit drugs: A review and evaluation of drug degradation techniques

The disposal of seized illicit drugs is highly dependent on incineration methods. Accessible alternatives for the destruction and disposal of illicit drugs may be required due to operational or risk management strategies. In this review, alternative methods of illicit drug disposal are evaluated, highlighting thermal, chemical, biological and miscellaneous degradation techniques. Chemical degradation of illicit drugs offers the most promising alternative to incineration. Oxidative processes utilise commercially available reagents and are accessible, with some methods already established as industry processes. Advanced oxidation processes have short run times (<24 h) and can completely mineralise organic compounds, overcoming the limitation of forming undesired transformation products. Other feasible methods for drug degradation include bacterial growth and gamma irradiation. It is apparent, however, that there is currently no universal alternative method for drug degradation, as diverse classes of drugs exhibit different degradation characteristics. In some instances, harmful compounds can be produced from the degradation of the illicit drugs although if the transformation products are not illicit, they can be integrated into existing chemical waste procedures using appropriate hazardous waste protocols. • Alternative methods of illicit drug disposal are evaluated. • Chemical degradation of illicit drugs offers promising alternatives to incineration. • Other feasible methods include bacterial growth and gamma irradiation. • There is no universal degradation method that is optimal for all illicit drugs.