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

  • IASbaba
  • May 21, 2020
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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. 

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