GLOBAL 20 S MART September UPDATE VOLUME VOLUME Methamphetamine continues to dominate synthetic drug markets ENES Research 2018 GLOBAL SMART UPDATE About the SMART Update Content Synthetic drugs constitute one of the most significant Methamphetamine continues to dominate drug problems worldwide. After cannabis, amphet- synthetic drug markets 3 amine-type stimulants (ATS) are the second most Introduction 3 widely used drugs across the globe, with use levels often exceeding those of heroin and/or cocaine. Along Are the threats of methamphetamine with ATS, the continued growth of the new psychoac- underestimated? 3 tive substances (NPS) market over the last years has Analysing methamphetamine seizures: become a policy challenge and a major international a case study of China and Myanmar 5 concern. A growing interplay between these new drugs Prices along the methamphetamine and traditional illicit drug markets is being observed. trafficking chain 6 By December 2017, the emergence of NPS had been reported by 111 countries and territories. Trends on the The two hubs for methamphetamine: East and synthetic drug market evolve quickly each year. South-East Asia and North America 6 The UNODC Global Synthetics Monitoring: Analyses, Trends in methamphetamine manufacture 7 Reporting and Trends (SMART) Programme enhances Is methamphetamine use growing? 7 the capacity of Member States in priority regions to Diversification of the methamphetamine market 9 generate, manage, analyse, report and use synthetic drug information to design effective policy and pro- A case study: diversification among population gramme interventions. Launched in September 2008, sub-groups in East and South-East Asia 10 the Global SMART Programme provides capacity building to laboratory personnel, law enforcement and research SHORT SEGMENTS officers in the Pacific, East and South-East Asia, South Asia, the Near and Middle East, Africa, Latin America Africa and the Caribbean; and regularly reviews the global PORTO-NOVO, Benin – 2017 12 amphetamine-type stimulants and new psychoactive JOHANNESBURG AND CAPE TOWN, substances situation. Its main products include online South Africa – February 2018 12 drug data collection, situation reports, regional assess- Americas ments and the UNODC Early Warning Advisory (EWA) VANCOUVER, Canada – May 2017 12 on new psychoactive substances. The EWA is a web- portal that offers regular updates on new psychoactive WASHINGTON D.C., United States substances, including trend data on emergence and – October 2017 12 persistence, chemical data, supporting documentation DENVER, United States – July 2017 13 on laboratory analysis and national legislative responses Asia (available at: www.unodc.org/NPS). BEIJING, China – 2018 13 The Global SMART Update (GSU) series is published KOLKOTA, India – August 2017-February 2018 13 twice a year in English, Spanish and Russian. It pro- TEHERAN, Islamic Republic of Iran – March 2018 13 vides information on emerging patterns and trends of PORT KLANG, Malaysia – May 2018 14 the global synthetic drug market in a concise format. This issue is fully dedicated to the topic of metham- Europe phetamine. Past issues have covered topics such as the PRAGUE, Czechia – June 2018 14 shift in the synthetic drug market, non-medical use of ISTANBUL, Turkey – 2017 14 benzodiazepines, the fentanyl group of synthetic opi- oids, UNGASS 2016 recommendations, injecting use of Oceania synthetic drugs and legal responses to NPS. Electronic CANBERRA, Australia – March 2018 14 copies of the Global SMART Updates and other pub- WELLINGTON, New Zealand – March 2018 15 lications are available at: www.unodc.org/unodc/en/ WELLINGTON, New Zealand – February 2018 15 scientists/publications-smart.html. International LISBON, Portugal – March 2018 15 * The information and data contained within this report are from official Gov- LONDON, United Kingdom – 2017 15 ernment reports, press releases, scientific journals or incidents confirmed by UNODC Field Offices. This report has not been formally edited. The contents of this publication do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of UNODC or contributory organizations and neither do they imply any endorsement. Suggested citation: UNODC, “Methamphetamine continues to dominate synthetic drug markets”, Global SMART Update Volume 20, August 2018. 2 Volume 20 Methamphetamine continues to dominate synthetic drug markets Introduction The methamphetamine market has undergone remarkable changes in the last decade. From a market when manufacture was concentrated in 159 specific subregions, it has evolved to 25 tons a market with global trafficking flows tons and global seizure quantities grow- In 2008 In 2016 ing more than 6 times since 2008. Methamphetamine seizures Methamphetamine seizures And yet, the dynamics of the rap- reported by 55 countries reported by 74 countries idly expanding methamphetamine market are not well understood. Source: UNODC, responses to annual report questionnaire, 2008-2016. There are a number of questions that expansion of this market, informa- Despite growing reports of harms remain unanswered. For instance, tion gaps and discrepancies need to and deaths relating to metham- what is the size of the methamphet- phetamine use, the extent of the amine market? Why is the global be addressed with some urgency. threat might nevertheless be greatly surge of methamphetamine seizures Overall, seizure information, global underestimated. Methamphetamine and reports of growing harms and trafficking flows and perceived is often used in combination with threats not evidenced in metham- increases in consumption indicate other substances, which poses a phetamine use data? Who are the that East and South-East Asia and significant challenge in determining user groups for methamphetamine? North America are the two main the spread of methamphetamine To what extent is methamphet- subregions for methamphetamine use and in associating metham- amine being used concomitantly worldwide. However, there are no phetamine use to treatment cases with other drugs? Do different clear indications that the number and fatalities involving an additional forms of methamphetamine (e.g. of methamphetamine users globally combination of other drugs. crystalline methamphetamine and has increased significantly. Rather methamphetamine tablets) appeal the market for methamphetamine, Are the threats of metham- to different market segments? Are which is available in powder, tablet phetamine underestimated? the health threats of methamphet- and crystalline form, appears to amine use being underestimated? In recent years, there have been be becoming more differentiated. increasing reports of health harms, This current Global SMART Update The variety of physical forms for including the most extreme form of aims to address some of these methamphetamine, sold at differ- harm – death –, relating to meth- questions whilst analysing the key ent prices and levels of purity, might amphetamine use. Deaths and other trends and drivers of the metham- contribute to this development in harm related to drug use can be a phetamine market. Given the rapid some parts of the world. direct consequence of drug use, “Psychostimulants with abuse potential” deaths related to the use of methamphetamine in the United States 5,716 deaths 1,854 deaths 2015 2010 Source: National Center for Health Statistics/Centers for Disease Control; U.S. Department of Justice; Drug Enforcement Administration (October 2017) 2017 National Drug Threat Assessment. 3 GLOBAL SMART UPDATE 4 Map 1: Global methamphetamine seizures (cumulative 2012-2016) EASTERN CENTRAL ASIA AND EUROPE NORTH AMERICA WESTERN AND TRANSCAUCASIA (including Mexico) CENTRAL EUROPE SOUTH-EASTERN EUROPE (including Turkey) NORTH AFRICA NEAR AND MIDDLE EAST/ SOUTH-WEST SOUTH EAST AND ASIA ASIA SOUTH-EAST ASIA CENTRAL AMERICA WEST AND (excluding Mexico) CENTRAL AFRICA EAST AFRICA SOUTH AMERICA Global methamphetamine seizures, 2012-2016 Countries reporting SOUTHERN methamphetamine seizures AFRICA <1 ton 1−5 tons 5−30 tons AUSTRALIA AND 30−200 tons NEW ZEALAND 200−300 tons >300 tons 0 1,000 2,000 km The boundaries shown on this map do not imply official endorsement or acceptance by the United Nations. Dashed lines represent undetermined boundaries. The dotted line represents approximately the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir agreed upon by India and Pakistan. The final status of Jammu and Kashmir has not yet been agreed upon by the parties. The final boundary between the Republic of Sudan and the Republic of South Sudan has not yet been determined. A dispute exists between the Governments of Argentina and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland concerning sovereignty over the Falkland Islands (Malvinas). Source: UNODC, responses to annual report questionnaire, 2012-2016. Note: The boundaries and names shown and the designations used on this map do not imply official endorsement or acceptance by the United Nations. Dashed lines represent undetermined boundaries. The dotted line represents approximately the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir agreed upon by India and Pakistan. The final status of Jammu and Kashmir has not yet been agreed upon by the parties. The final boundary between the Republic of Sudan and the Republic of South Sudan has not yet been determined. A dispute exists between the Governments of Argentina and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland concerning sovereignty over the Falkland Islands (Malvinas). Volume 20 such as unintentional or intentional