According to Karen Tandy, head of the Drug Enforcement Administration, USA, users of methamphetamine worldwide outnumber the combined total of cocaine and heroine users.
Karen Tandy was speaking at the 24th International Drug Enforcement Conference, Montreal, Canada.
Methamphetamine, also known as ?crystal meth’ or ?meth’ is an amphetamine, a stimulant. The user has a feeling of total euphoria. Unfortunately, the drug is highly addictive and can lead to serious depression and violence.
Ms. Tandy explained that methamphetamine trafficking and the movement of its precursor chemicals are an increasing global threat. Of the 26 million users of amphetamines worldwide, most are taking crystal meth.
Ms. Tandy said that perhaps one of the largest meth labs in the world was seized in Indonesia, thanks to the efforts of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and law enforcement in Hong Kong, Thailand, Singapore and Indonesia.
She added that illegal organizations in Canada and the USA are shipping methamphetamine to Japan.
Ms. Tandy said that thanks to efforts by Mexican authorities, precursor chemical imports into Mexico have been reduced by 53%.
(Precursor chemicals = In this text, means, chemical ingredients for the making of methamphetamine)
Ephedrine trafficking, a precursor chemical for the production of methamphetamine, has been blocked so effectively around the world that traffickers are starting to find new routes to new countries. Ephedrine is being shipped from India and China to South Africa, and from there to Central and South America. Ephedrine from China is making its way to Mexico from Cairo.
Written by: Christian Nordqvist
Editor: Medical News Today