Methamphetamines in Asia

Burma, long a major producer of raw opium is increasingly involved in the production and trafficking in methamphetamine. The problem of meth is not a new one in the Asian Pacific Rim. As early as WWII, the U.S., Great Britain and Germany, gave their soldiers methamphetamines to keep them alert for extended periods of time. At one point in the early days of post war Japan , 2 million Japanese were users of methamphetamines, in a population of only 88 million.

The three nations that are key players in production, are China Burma and India. China and India are the largest producers of the precursor chemicals ephedrine and pseudoephedrine, with China and Burma being the leading producers of the refined product. This presents a major problem in the Asia Pacific region.

While India and China export over 4 million metric tons of these chemicals, very little is seized. In December 1999 India, followed by China in February 2003, enacted legislation aimed at controlling the problem. Both countries cooperate with the DEA in programs aimed at curbing the flow of these drugs.

Burma is the main producer of Ya-Ba, methamphetamine tablets, in excess of 8 million tablets per year. Laos, Thailand and Cambodia also produce these drugs, but in smaller quantities. 80% of what Burma produces is sold in Thailand, creating a huge problem. It is considered by the Thai government to be their primary threat to security.

The United Wa State Army in Burma is the major faction producing meth. An insurgent group, holding a cease fire agreement with the government, they were major heroin traffickers, till the late 1990's, when thanks to successful enforcement efforts, their cash flow from heroin was severely curtailed. They turned to the production of methamphetamine to refill their coffers. Since it's inexpensive to produce and the chemicals easy to obtain, this turned out to be extremely profitable for them. The logos on the tablets are WY or 1999. Competing factions are now distributing counterfeit tablets bearing the same logo, increasing tensions in the region.

Most of the product is brought in by truck to Thailand, where it is "brokered" out throughout the country. A small percentage is sent out to Australia, Brunei, Vietnam, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan and the PRC (Peoples Republic of China). Small shipments of Ya-Ba have been discovered amongst the Hmong and Yao in Sacramento California.

China is the leading Asian producer of crystal meth, a very potent form of methamphetamine. Known as Shabu or "ice", this drug is highly prized for it's potency. Though China considers it one of their biggest drug problems, most of the "ice" is consumed within it's own borders, along with heroin, another huge problem in China.

Smaller quantities are shipped to Australia, Brunei, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, the Marianas Islands, and the United States (specifically Guam and Hawaii).

Most of the production is done in the provinces, bordering the east and southeast coastlines. The easy availability of the precursor chemicals, makes multi-kilogram production simple and relatively quick. As is the case in the United States, most "labs" are highly mobile and rarely stationary, making enforcement extremely difficult. Most of the product is shipped by trawlers, or fishing vessels overseas, in international waters. It is rarely shipped by air. Human couriers are used, but rarely, to enter Japan.

Both countries are unlikely to see a decline in production or use of methamphetamine, as the market for it is huge. Most Western people have perceived meth use and production to be a primarily U.S. problem, when in fact you can see it's an issue of staggering proportions throughout Asia and much of the world.

Until we eliminate the market, the need for narcotics, there will always be those who will profit. It is the market that drives the production. It's pointless to blame these profiteers of human misery and dependence. We need to look hard at the consumers and find solutions that are viable in dealing with this devastating global illness. And that involves many of us growing up and facing life on life's terms, instead of through a drug induced haze.