THE UN’s drugs and crimes office (UNODC) has revealed that the abuse of synthetic drugs such as ecstasy and amphetamines is on the increase in developing countries.
A UNODC report said that although drug abuse is stabilising in many developed countries, it is increasing in East and South East Asia and the Middle East.
The head of the Vienna-based UNODC, António Maria Costa, said the trend reflected social changes in these regions and synthetic drugs are now big business, controlled by organised criminal groups.
The global market for these types of drugs is estimated at 45 billion euros.
