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Galloping Asian meth demand drives record production

Thailand has also seen its highest levels of seizures of methamphetamine pills and the drug in its crystalline state in past five years, said the report.

Growing ATS use was accompanied by expanding regional production, with large bases seen in China, Myanmar and the Philippines, the UN body said.

The drug is often trafficked for long distances, the report said, and the routes being used by drug sellers are becoming increasingly well-trodden.

These are notably from Mexico, the Middle East, South and West Asia and West Africa to Japan and other lucrative markets in East and Southeast Asia and Oceania.

Ironically, the factors that are starting to boost living standards in Asia — greater regional integration resulting in improved trade — are also accelerating the spread of the drug.

Closer ties among the Association of Southeast Asian Nations have increased the region’s flow of people and goods, including drugs.

Criminal groups are increasingly opening drug factories in the region. They are known to provide cheap products when trying to cultivate a new market and to raise prices once new customers are addicted.

Southeast Asian states and other countries most affected by the crisis often have very little capacity to stop the crimes, Douglas said.

The continued spread of methamphetamine across Asia also poses a growing challenge to justice systems and health providers in societies with large youthful populations, UNODC said.

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Douglas stressed the need to strengthen police capacity and measures to fight crime and corruption, while intensifying research and public awareness of the problem.

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