Pubdate: Tue, 26 Sep 2006
Source: Townsville Bulletin, The (Australia)
Copyright: 2006 The North Queensland Newspaper Company Pty Ltd
Contact:  http://townsvillebulletin.news.com.au/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3758

METHAMPHETAMINE, ECSTASY DOMINATE DRUG WORRIES

THE twin scourges of methamphetamine and ecstasy abuse dominate the 
drug problems being faced by nations in the Asia-Pacific region, 
including Australia, two new reports said.

Nearly half the countries in the region now rank methamphetamine as 
the primary drug of concern, while the rest consider ecstasy their 
biggest threat.

Most of the 13 nations studied in a new report by the Australian 
National Council on Drugs (ANCD) also report growing abuse of both drugs.

"We should not underestimate the threat that illegal drugs use and 
supply poses to the wider Asia-Pacific region's stability and the 
potential impact of this situation on Australia," said ANCD chairman 
Dr John Herron.

A second report, by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, 
documents growing concerns about the more potent forms of 
methamphetamine that have recently appeared on Australian streets.

With their appearance has come a steady rise in problem indicators, 
including methamphetamine-induced psychosis, says the UN report, 
which with the ANCD report will be released at Australia's first 
conference on amphetamines in Sydney tomorrow.

Between 1999/2000 and 2004/2005 there has been a 56 per cent rise in 
the number of hospital admissions in Australia for abuse of 
psycho-stimulants, said the UN report.

"These psychosis cases often present with violent aggressive 
behaviour and are placing a considerable strain on emergency hospital 
resources."

The UN report also reports a noticeable increase in ecstasy use in 
Australia over the past decade, with abuse slightly higher in the 
past year than for methamphetamine.

"While the trend in abuse for methamphetamine is stable, the trend 
for ecstasy is increasing," the report said.

Abuse of amphetamine-type stimulants (ATS) is now estimated to affect 
some 25 million people worldwide, with more than 60 per cent of 
abusers in East Asia and Southeast Asia.

The dramatic growth in abuse is due to the availability and 
accessibility of precursor chemicals, sophisticated trafficking 
networks and a large, mostly young, vulnerable population, said the UN report.

The ANCD report also shows that amphetamines are making substantial 
inroads into youth cultures in many Asia-Pacific countries.

Among its more alarming findings are that Indonesia is now a transit 
point for drugs as well as a destination and source of narcotics.

It said 80 per cent of HIV infections in Indonesia are linked to 
injecting drug use, 25,000 new drug users are appearing in Thailand 
every year, and the amphetamine "ice" is now the main drug in the Philippines.

The ANCD report calls for Australia to strengthen its regional role 
in drug issues and pump more money into developing research and 
treatment in the region.
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MAP posted-by: Elaine