Patterns and trends of Amphetamine-Type Stimulants (ATS) and other drugs - Challenges for Asia and the Pacific 2013

UNODC launched the Global Synthetics Monitoring:Analyses, Reporting and Trends (SMART) Programme in September 2008. The Programme seeks to enhance the capacity of Member States and authorities in priority regions, to generate, manage, analyse and report synthetic drug information, and to apply this scientific evidence-based knowledge to design the policies and programmes. The Global SMART Programme is being implemented in a gradual phased manner, with East Asia being the first focus priority region. Operations in Latin America started in 2011.

This annual report is the fourth regional situation assessment for East and Southeast Asia put forward under the Global SMART Programme. It forms one of the essential key steps in providing consolidated up-to-date analysis, based on the information shared by the member countries. It is hoped that the information on drug trends presented in this report will make a practical contribution to addressing the significant threat posed by the illicit ATS manufacture, trafficking and use in the East and Southeast Asia region, and place policymakers in a better position to evaluate the drug situation, and to make informed decisions on intervention and prevention strategies.

This report provides an overview of the ATS situation in the region. It outlines several key issues and emerging threats throughout the region and their implications for the neighbouring regions. While the data presented point towards the increased efforts by the countries in the region to tackle the ATS problem, it also highlights the need for continued and joint efforts, both at the national as well as regional levels. It is hoped that this report and the forthcoming national and regional updates, will help in the better understanding of the ATS problem and in designing effective strategies to combat it.

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