Patterns and trends of amphetamine-type stimulants and other drugs ...

Executive Summary
The present report highlights the most current patterns and trends of amphetamine-type stimulants
(ATS) and other drugs of use in East and Southeast Asia and provides overviews for the
neighbouring regions of South Asia and the Paci c. It is the second report prepared under the
Global Synthetics Monitoring: Analyses, Reporting and Trends (SMART) Programme. The objective
of the Global SMART Programme is to enhance the capacity of targeted Member States and
relevant authorities to generate, manage, analyze, report and use synthetic drug information, in
order to design effective, scientically sound and evidence-based policies and programmes.
The ndings of the report are based on primary information submitted by the drug control agencies
and designated institutions in Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Lao PDR,
Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Viet Nam, via the Drug Use Information
Network for Asia and the Pacic (DAINAP). Information from DAINAP was supplemented
with data from Government sources such as the UNODC Annual Reports Questionnaire, and
through secondary research.
East and Southeast Asia, home to about a third of the global population, is one of the fastest
growing regions in the world. Economic development in the region is leading to new infrastructure
and trade initiatives. The accelerated movement of persons, trade and goods has given rise
to many opportunities that traf ckers can exploit to make their business prosper. One such issue
and challenge facing the region is the threat posed by ATS and other synthetic drugs.
ATS drugs, particularly methamphetamine (in pill or crystalline form), are widely used in East and
Southeast Asia. It is estimated that between 3.4 million and 20.7 million persons in the region
have used amphetamines in the past year. In many countries in the region, ATS have become
the primary drug threat, displacing traditionally used drugs such as heroin, opium or cannabis. All
15 countries detailed in this report have reported ATS use.
An increasing number of countries report the illicit manufacture of ATS. Unlike plant-based crops
that are dependent on climate and geography and can be detected and measured using aerial or
ground surveys, ATS manufacturing facilities can be established anywhere and are thus dif cult
to detect. Precursor chemicals that are needed for the illicit manufacture of ATS, are often easily
accessible. ATS drugs can be manufactured in clandestine laboratories using easily obtainable
ingredients and formulas.
In the East and Southeast Asia region, data indicates that more needs to be done in terms of
consolidated responses from the security and health perspectives. Challenges remain in terms
of disparate levels of analysis, data generation and sharing and forensic capacity. The health
and security implications of illicit manufacture, traf cking and use of ATS are therefore serious
challenges that deserve greater attention in East and Southeast Asia.
While data on the ATS markets in South Asia and Paci c Island States and Territories remains
scarce and is often anecdotal in nature, reports indicate that ATS have become more widespread
in the two regions. In South Asia, the large licit chemical and pharmaceutical industries make the
region attractive to organized criminal groups seeking to manufacture and market ATS. Many
Paci c Island States and Territories lack functional drug control structures to adequately monitor
the drug situation. There are already indications of methamphetamine use in some Paci c
Island States and Territories. In addition, as few countries in the Paci c have become party to the
United Nations drug control Conventions, they lack formal drug surveillance systems for monitoring
illicit drug use and emerging drug trends.
Based on data submitted for the year 2008 and 2009, the following observations are made in the
report:
ATS now rank in the top three drugs of use in all countries in East and Southeast Asia. Upward
trends in the use of methamphetamine are reported from most countries in the region (Cambodia,
China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Republic of Korea, Singapore, Thailand
and Viet Nam) whereas use has been reported as declining in Japan and the Philippines. An
increasing number of countries report the use of ecstasy, with Brunei Darussalam, China and
Viet Nam indicating increasing use.
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