AUSSIE POT USE AMONG WORLD'S HIGHEST: UN

Amphetamines and marijuana abuse in Australia and the region is among
the highest in the world, the United Nations says.

A major report from the UN drug watchdog, the International Narcotics
Control Board, found 11 per cent of the population aged 14 and older
had used cannabis.

The country also reported a "high rate" of amphetamine abuse.

Criminals were smuggling in precursor chemicals to manufacture
amphetamines, the report says.

"In Australia, Queensland seems to be the base of (amphetamine)
clandestine manufacturing, which supplies the whole country," the report said.

"The abuse of cannabis and amphetamine-type stimulants in Oceania is
among the highest in the world."

The board said it was also concerned about the lack of data on the
drug situation in Oceania.