A 2020 report released by the The UN’s Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) highlights the increasing concern for the growth in methamphetamine manufacturing activity in East and South East Asia2.
According to the UNODC, recent methamphetamine seizures in Myanmar suggest that crime groups are finding new ways to produce the drug through adapting to the chemicals they have access to at the time2, navigating through hurdles that may have previously caused a disruption in their distribution.
With Pseudoephedrine (traditionally used in the manufacturing of ice) now controlled in Southeast Asia and the Pacific region, crime groups are sourcing new chemicals that are making it more difficult for authorities to crack down on and creating increasing concern for the dangerous concoctions of methamphetamine that will potentially make its way to Australia.
UNODC regional representative for southeast Asia and the Pacific, Jeremy Douglas, states “If they can’t get their hands on one chemical, they’re getting their hands on other chemicals and then getting creative in terms of how they produce the meth.”
These drugs are then being trafficked to feed the many ice addictions across Australia, with the issue being magnified through drug affordability.
According to the UNODC synthetic drugs report, the East and Southeast Asia methamphetamine market is the “fastest-growing” market in the world. The increased supply of methamphetamine has resulted in a decrease in retail price in Australian markets2.
The World Health Organisation states that the epidemic of methamphetamine use in Thailand “warrants immediate attention” with researchers expressing the “urgent need to map out this epidemic to assess the spread and scale of the problems, consequences, and responses” (Amphetaminetype stimulants, 2021).
Inshik Sim, UNODC Illicit Drugs Analyst observes “organised crime groups are in a position to provide better quality methamphetamine at much cheaper prices compared to a decade ago, increasing affordability and harm at the same time” (Report on East and Southeast Asia: continued growth in the supply of methamphetamine while synthetic opioids spread, 2021).
With the expanding Ice manufacturing availability in South East Asia posing a risk for increased supply and availability in Australia, it’s reiterates the importance of maintaining a comprehensive drug and alcohol testing program in your workplace.
To find out more about how your workplace can benefit from a comprehensive drug and alcohol testing program, contact Alcolizer on 1300 789 908 or email us at [email protected]
References:
- Murray, D., 2021. Ice Drug Menace Getting Worse, Says UN. [online] The Australian. Available at: https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/ice-drug-menace-gettingworse-says-un/news-story/ca57b1b78e207c561638e871608b3086.
- UNODC.org. 2021. Report On East And Southeast Asia: Continued Growth In The Supply Of Methamphetamine While Synthetic Opioids Spread. [online] Available at: https://www.unodc.org/southeastasiaandpacific/en/2020/05/regional-synthetic-drugs-report-launch/story.html.