Pubdate: Wed, 24 Sep 2003
Source: Guelph Mercury (CN ON)
Copyright: 2003 Guelph Mercury Newspapers Limited
Contact:  http://www.guelphmercury.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1418
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mdma.htm (Ecstasy)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine)

UN ISSUES WARNING ON INCREASE IN DRUG ABUSE

ROME -- The supply and use of synthetic drugs such as Ecstasy and 
amphetamines is soaring worldwide in part because the public doesn't 
realize how dangerous they can be, a UN report said Tuesday.

The report, presented at a news conference in Rome, estimated that global 
use of Ecstasy rose by 70 per cent between 1995-1997 and 2000-2001, while 
use of amphetamines rose by 40 per cent over the same period. More than 40 
million people worldwide used amphetamine-type stimulants, known as ATS, in 
2000-2001, the report said.

The report said that seizures of these stimulants rose from around four 
tonnes in 1990-1991 to almost 40 tonnes in 2000-2001 and estimated the 
global value of the ATS industry at around US$65 billion each year.
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MAP posted-by: Terry Liittschwager