MALAYSIA AT HIGH RISK OF BECOMING MAJOR MARKET FOR ATS DRUGS

By D. Arul Rajoo

BANGKOK, Nov 26 (Bernama) -- Malaysia is at the crossroads of becoming a
major market for amphetamine-type stimulants (ATS), according to a new report.

Large amounts are trafficked into the country, in addition to large scale
domestic manufacture, notes the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (Unodc)
Regional Centre for East Asia and the Pacific.

The '2009 Patterns and Trends of ATS and Other Drugs in East and South-East
Asia' report released here Thursday, said that there was an increase in
methamphetamine seizures in Malaysia.

It said that last year, 12 clandestine ATS laboratory operations were
uncovered, as compared to nine the previous year.

Drawing a likely parallel with Indonesia, Unodc's Deepika Naruka said it was
possible for Malaysia to follow the pattern observed in the neighbouring country
over the past three years, in which large seizures and the uncovering of
manufacturing operations of ATS were followed by increased use.

"Malaysia has very large ATS manufacturing operations from 2004 onwards and
very large ATS seizures from 2006. It's a worrying trend as Indonesia has the
similar trend and are now a big user of ATS," said the Regional Coordinator
(East Asia) for Undoc's Global SMART Programme.

According to Unodc officials, Indonesia, which used to obtain its supply of
party drugs like ecstasy from Europe, was now emerging as a major supply source
due to its proximity to Australia and New Zealand where these substances are the
second most consumed drug.

Unodc said Malaysian law enforcement authorities had seized considerable
amounts of trafficked methamphetamine and ecstasy each year, and confiscated
some of the largest clandestine ATS manufacturing facilities in the
world, including five in the first three months of this year.

Based on data provided by Malaysia, the main problematic drugs in Malaysia
have been heroin and morphine, with the total estimate of the number of drug
users varying from between 350,000 and 500,000, while the usage of ATS was on
the rise.

Deepika said Thailand had the largest methamphetamine pill market in the
region with soaring demand, while Malaysia and Vietnam were among the potential
emerging markets.

Gary Lewis, Unodc Representative for East Asia and the Pacific, said while
traditional illegal drugs such as heroin and cocaine had been contained, the
use of synthetic drugs was on the rise.

"We have to warn the younger generation because now it's being used for not
only recreational purpose, but for some to keep them awake. It's related to
economic growth in the region, but the danger is high," he said.

In East and South East Asia, methamphetamine pill seizures increased from 25
million in 2007 to 31 million last year.

-- BERNAMA