UNODC. Synthetic Drugs in East and Southeast Asia – Latest Developments and Challenges

The report finds that the regional methamphetamine market continues to expand, with sustained increases in seizures, especially of crystalline methamphetamine, amidst falling prices.  It states that seizures of methamphetamine precursor chemicals are not proportionate with drug seizure trends, signaling difficulties in coping with increasing diversion, trafficking and illicit manufacture of key precursor chemicals. There are also recent signs of a consolidation of methamphetamine manufacture in the lower Mekong region, as organised crime groups adapt trafficking routes in response to law enforcement operations. The report also finds increased purities and use of “ecstasy”, increased identifications of synthetic NPS with opioid effects and a higher availability of ketamine in the region. 

While the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on illicit drug supply in the region might be limited, the repercussions on demand and ongoing drug prevention and treatment programmes could be huge. The report calls for active monitoring and careful interpretation of drug-related trends to understand how the regional drug market evolves in the wake of the pandemic. (UNODC, Wien, Mai 2020)

https://www.unodc.org/documents/scientific/ATS/2020_ESEA_Regonal_Synthetic_Drug_Report_web.pdf