NZ HERALD 21 MAY 2014: ASIAN DEMAND IN CHINA AND THAILAND PUSHING UP GLOBAL METH INPUT

STRONG AND GROWING DEMAND FOR DRUGS IN ASIA is driving up global production of methamphetamine, with seizures in the region tripling in five years to record levels. Both the use and the production of the drug is growing in the region, in concert with the expanding economy of the world's most populous continent, leading to growing social problems and higher health-care bills. Methamphetamine, also called "meth" and "ice", is an extremely addictive stimulant that affects the central nervous system. Chronic use can lead to mood disturbances, violent behaviour, as well as symptoms of psychosis, such as paranoia and hallucinations. Asia has long served the world's largest market for amphetamine-type stimulants (ATS), the UN body says. Seizures of ATS-related drugs tripled to at least 36 tonnes a year in the five years to 2012. In 2008, Chinese authorities seized six tonnes of methamphetamine. That figure soared to more than 16 tonnes in 2012, accounting for about 45 per cent of total methamphetamine seizures for Asia that year, the UNODC said. Thailand has also seen its highest levels of seizures of methamphetamine pills and the drug in its crystalline state in the past five years, said the report, entitled Global Synthetic Drugs Assessment: amphetamine-type stimulants and new psychoactive substances. The report said the drug is often trafficked long distances. NEW ZEALAND HERALD 21 MAY 2014, PAGE A 23. READ AT: http://www.pressdisplay.com/pressdisplay/viewer.aspx