METHAMPHETAMINE, ECSTASY DOMINATE DRUG WORRIES

THE twin scourges of methamphetamine and ecstasy abuse dominate the
drug problems being faced by nations in the Asia-Pacific region,
including Australia, two new reports said.

Nearly half the countries in the region now rank methamphetamine as
the primary drug of concern, while the rest consider ecstasy their
biggest threat.

Most of the 13 nations studied in a new report by the Australian
National Council on Drugs (ANCD) also report growing abuse of both drugs.

"We should not underestimate the threat that illegal drugs use and
supply poses to the wider Asia-Pacific region's stability and the
potential impact of this situation on Australia," said ANCD chairman
Dr John Herron.

A second report, by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime,
documents growing concerns about the more potent forms of
methamphetamine that have recently appeared on Australian streets.

With their appearance has come a steady rise in problem indicators,
including methamphetamine-induced psychosis, says the UN report,
which with the ANCD report will be released at Australia's first
conference on amphetamines in Sydney tomorrow.

Between 1999/2000 and 2004/2005 there has been a 56 per cent rise in
the number of hospital admissions in Australia for abuse of
psycho-stimulants, said the UN report.

"These psychosis cases often present with violent aggressive
behaviour and are placing a considerable strain on emergency hospital
resources."

The UN report also reports a noticeable increase in ecstasy use in
Australia over the past decade, with abuse slightly higher in the
past year than for methamphetamine.

"While the trend in abuse for methamphetamine is stable, the trend
for ecstasy is increasing," the report said.

Abuse of amphetamine-type stimulants (ATS) is now estimated to affect
some 25 million people worldwide, with more than 60 per cent of
abusers in East Asia and Southeast Asia.

The dramatic growth in abuse is due to the availability and
accessibility of precursor chemicals, sophisticated trafficking
networks and a large, mostly young, vulnerable population, said the UN report.

The ANCD report also shows that amphetamines are making substantial
inroads into youth cultures in many Asia-Pacific countries.

Among its more alarming findings are that Indonesia is now a transit
point for drugs as well as a destination and source of narcotics.

It said 80 per cent of HIV infections in Indonesia are linked to
injecting drug use, 25,000 new drug users are appearing in Thailand
every year, and the amphetamine "ice" is now the main drug in the Philippines.

The ANCD report calls for Australia to strengthen its regional role
in drug issues and pump more money into developing research and
treatment in the region.