Methamphetamine remains the top illicit drug threat in East and
Southeast Asia, according to a UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) report –
“2012 Patterns and Trends of Amphetamine-Type Stimulants and Other Drugs, Asia
and the Pacific” – launched at Foreign Correspondents’ Club of Thailand today.
Seizures of methamphetamine pills
have increased more than five-fold since 2007, says UNODC, noting that
amphetamine-type stimulants (ATS) are now either the number one or number two
illicit drug of use in 13 of the 15 Asia Pacific countries surveyed in the
report.
Burma remains the top source of
illicit methamphetamine pills in East and Southeast Asia, and is also a source
of crystalline methamphetamine, according to the UNODC report, which says that
‘significant quantities’ of crystal meth are also produced in China, Indonesia,
Malaysia and the Philippines, with ‘large-scale manufacturing’ reported in
Cambodia.
“The methamphetamine problem in
East and Southeast Asia continues to worsen,” said Mr. Gary Lewis, UNODC
Regional Representative, East Asia and the Pacific.
“During the past five years, the
availability and use of methamphetamine has increased significantly. This and
the increasing involvement of transnational organized criminal groups in the
illicit trade of amphetamine-type stimulants (ATS) pose a growing threat to the
both security and public health in the region,” Gary Lewis said.
The report, 2012 Patterns and
Trends of Amphetamine-Type Stimulants (ATS) and Other Drugs, Asia and the
Pacific, says that users of ATS – a category which includes amphetamines, methamphetamine,
methcathinone, and ecstasy-group substances – were the primary drug of use for
70% of all persons in drug treatment in the region in 2011.
Reported methamphetamine use
increased in 11 of 15 countries surveyed in East and Southeast Asia. The use of
methamphetamine in pill form increased in all six countries that comprise the
Greater Mekong Subregion – Cambodia, China, Lao PDR, Myanmar (Burma), Thailand
and Vietnam.
According to the UNODC Report,
Myanmar (Burma) remains a major source of methamphetamine pills and opiates in
Southeast Asia, most of which are manufactured in Shan State in the eastern
part of the country. The report also says, for the first time, a crystalline
methamphetamine manufacturing facility was seized in 2012. Large amounts of
methamphetamine in pill and crystalline form originating from Burma continue to
be seized in neighbouring countries.
The report also highlights that
in the region, Myanmar (Burma) becomes one of the key sources of
methamphetamine for a number of illicit drug markets in the past decade and a
half or so. Most methamphetamine manufacture in Myanmar takes place in the
mountainous and remote terrain of eastern Shan State, a region affected by drug
trafficking, and political instability for much of the past six decades.
Most illicit methamphetamine
manufacture in Shan State takes place in small, mobile facilities located in
border areas near China and Thailand, primarily in territories controlled by
active or former ethnic insurgent groups, many of which now operate as criminal
syndicates rather than politically motivated insurgents, the report says.
Additionally, the UNODC report
says that opium poppy cultivation has increased in Myanmar (Burma) for six
consecutive years. Opium poppy cultivation is at far lower levels than in the
mid-1990s but has increased in the past six years. The total opium-poppy
cultivation area in Myanmar in 2012 was estimated at 51,000 ha, a 17% increase
from the 43,600 ha cultivation area in 2011. In 2012, potential opium production
increased by 13% to 690 mt. During the year, an estimated 300,000 households
were involved in opium poppy cultivation in Myanmar.
According to the Shan Drug Watch
2012, if political settlement of long-standing ethnic dissatisfaction is not
reached, the armed conflict that fuel Burma’s drug epidemic will never end. The
Shan Drug Watch 2012 newsletter – ‘New Shan Drug Watch report: political
solution needed to end drug scourge in Burma’ – released on International Day
Against Drug Abuse and Trafficking (26 June).
To stop growing poppy, an
alternative cash crop must be provided. According to some political analysts,
poppy growing and opium production in Shan State have increased over the past
two years due to political volatility in Burma and growing economic despondency
caused by cronyism, corruption and unprofessional conduct of the government.
As said by Khuensai Jaiyen,
author of Shan Drug Watch, Burma Army controlled ‘People’s Militia Forces’
(PMF), set up by the governmen supporting its operations against rebel forces,
have become key players in the drug trade, both heroin and ATS. However,
government authorities’ involvement in the drug problem is being easily ignored
by the international community since it embraces Burma’s new Thein Sein
administration which acts as a reformist.
At least six well-known drug
lords in Burma represented the military-backed Union Solidarity and Development
Party (USDP). They are now taking parliament seats along with other members of
parliament since the 7 November 2010 elections, according to the Shan Drug
Watch report.
As the drug problem has
intertwined with the country’s long-lasting political fiasco, stakeholders of
Burma should not underestimate the impact of drug-trafficking throughout the
country. It may severely damage the designated reform task supported by the
western democracies.
Business & Investment Opportunities
Saigon Business Corporation Pte Ltd (SBC) is incorporated in Singapore since 1994. As Your Business Companion, we propose a range of services in Strategy, Investment and Management, focusing Health care and Life Science with expertise in ASEAN 's area. We are currently changing the platform of www.yourvietnamexpert.com, if any request, please, contact directly Dr Christian SIODMAK, business strategist, owner and CEO of SBC at christian.siodmak@gmail.com. Many thanks.
No comments:
Post a Comment