Synthetic Drugs in East and Southeast Asia: Report by the UNODC released

Synthetic Drugs in East and Southeast Asia: Report by the UNODC released

Part of: GS-Prelims and Mains GS-III-  Economy, Health

In News:

• United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) recently released the report on “Synthetic Drugs in East and Southeast Asia”.

Key takeaways:

• Movement restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic may lead to an initial statistical reduction in drug seizures (confiscation). 
• However, there will be hardly any change in terms of supply in the East and Southeast Asia region.
• A large proportion of methamphetamine was manufactured, trafficked and consumed without the need for globalised supply chains.
• An already vulnerable population of drug users may be exposed to additional risks as funding is re-prioritised, access to programmes and services becomes difficult, activities of treatment providers are hampered, and communities concentrate on coping with the effects of the pandemic. 
• Additional efforts would be required at all levels to carefully analyse methods and trends to understand changes to drug markets.

Important value additions:

The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) 

• Established in 1997 it is a member of the United Nations Development Group. 
• Headquarters: Vienna, Austria
• Functions: To assist the UN in addressing: 
  • interrelated issues of illicit trafficking in and abuse of drugs
  • crime prevention and criminal justice
  • international terrorism
  • political corruption. 
• These goals are pursued through three primary functions: research, guidance and support to governments through various conventions, treaties and protocols.