UN report signals rising consumption of synthetic drugs in Asia

The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime says the use of synthetic drugs is increasing and continues to pose a threat to countries in Southeast Asia.

Its latest report on Amphetamine-Type Stimulants or ATS, indicates continued expansion of synthetic drugs use in Asia and the Pacific, with methamphetamine use rapidly rising in countries like Myanmar.

Last year 227 million methamphetamine pills were seized in East and Southeast Asia, up 59 per cent from the year before and a more than seven-fold increase compared with 2008.

Seizures of potent crystal methamphetamine, also known as 'meth', increased, jumping 12-fold in Myanmar, 10-fold in Brunei, 91 per cent in Hong Kong, 75 per cent in both Indonesia and Cambodia and 33 per cent in Japan.

In its pill form, methamphetamine - known in Thailand as 'yaba', which means 'crazy medicine' - is used both as a party drug and pick-me-up for those working long hours.

Between them China, Thailand, Myanmar and Laos seized 99 per cent of all yaba in East and Southeast Asia, according to the UN report.

Regional representative for Southeast Asia and the Pacific Jeremy Douglas told Radio Australia's Asia Pacific that the highest levels of methamphetamine are found in Thailand.

"Some people swallow the pill. But you get a better high out of it if you crush and smoke it," he said.

"We're estimating conservatively... that there's a need for 1.5 billion doses or pills in any calendar year in Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Myanmar."

Mr Douglas says Myanmar is becoming a big producer of synthetic drugs.

"They are under control of armed militia that need money to fuel their existence," he said.

"They share the border with China and India, which are two very large sources of chemicals necessary to produce the drugs.

"They are in this perfect geographical location for access to the chemicals and then they're next to the big markets for methamphetamine in Thailand and increasingly now, Laos and Cambodia."

Mr Douglas says the increasing consumption of methamphetamine in Myanmar is due to rising wealth in the country.

"More and more money is pumped through the economy with its opening, " he said.

"People have access to cash and they can afford to purchase it themselves."

Mr Douglas says there are many different type of users of methamphetamine - workers, who are the traditional users as well as a rising group of cash-rich youths.

"Methamphetamine is really popular in the youth culture in Southeast Asia," he said.

In comparison, Mr Douglas describes the Pacific region as a "transhipment point".

"You'll find transhipment of the chemicals. You'll find transhipment of the drugs themselves," he said.

"You'll also find the region is vulnerable to money laundering associated with drug trafficking."

Mr Douglas says authorities in the Pacific are beginning to realise they need to be aware of these issues and take action on these issues.

ABC/AFP

Source: http://www.news.myanmaronlinecentre.com/2013/11/09/un-report-signals-rising-consumption-of-synthetic-drugs-in-asia/