Methamphetamine

Methaphetamine Watch: Meth Has Become a “GLOBAL THREAT”

A US Sheriff holds two examples of methamphetamine taken on a bust. The profoundly addictive synthetic drug methamphetamine has become a “global threat”, topping cocaine and heroine use combined, US authorities said.

AFP: Crystal meth climbs to top of narcotics threats: US authorities

The profoundly addictive synthetic drug methamphetamine has become a “global threat”, topping cocaine and heroine use combined, US authorities said.

Methamphetamine trafficking and the movement of its precursor chemicals are an increasing global threat,” US Drug Enforcement Administration chief Karen Tandy told representatives from 76 countries in Montreal this week for the 24th International Drug Enforcement Conference (IDEC).

“More than 26 million people worldwide use amphetamines — largely methamphetamines — which is more than the worldwide users of heroine and cocaine combined,” she told the international police gathering.

Karen Tandy, administrator of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency, makes her opening address at the start of the International Drug Enforcement Conference in Montreal Tuesday, May 9, 2006.

Flap is glad to see the federal government, especially the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) finally getting tough on the global nature of methamphetamine.

After the passage of the Patriot Act and the Combat Methamphetamine Act of 2005 and the restrictions on domestic precursor chemicals (namely pseudoepehedrine) for methamphetamine manufacture, it is now important to go after the precursor chemicals manufacturers abroad.

The Oregonian newspaper in their Unnecessary Epidemic Series has some great peices on the international nature of methamphetamine:

Global board sounds alarm over meth

World wakes up to meth

The Mexican Connection

Mexico’s math problem

Senator asks Fox to intercede

Charts: Imports | Top 10 Importers | Production surges

Suppliers switch strategies

Mexico cuts cold-drug imports

House lawmakers demand international meth summit

Tandy noted that a massive meth lab in Indonesia with exports linked to Hong Kong, Thailand, Singapore and the United States was seized in November.

Criminal organizations are exporting the narcotic from North America to Japan, she said.

Meanwhile, raw chemical ingredients used to make methamphetamines have been shipped from India and China to South Africa, then to South and Central America or through Egypt, she added.

According to the UN Office on Drugs and Crime, the global market for all narcotics has reached 322 billion dollars per year.

The Attorney General’s Office of alberto Gonzales is taking an increasing aggressive stand against methamphetamine.

Stay tuned……..

Graphic courtesy of the Oregonian.

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