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.
