13 Sep_ADM Report 2020 2021Sep13

ASEAN DRUG MONITORING REPORT 2020 ADMADM ADM REPORT ADM REPORT REPORT ADM ADMREPORT ADMADM REPORT REPORT REPORTADMREPORT ADM ADM REPORT REPORT ADM REPORT REPORT ASEAN-NARCO ASEAN Narcotics Cooperation Center



ASEAN DRUG MONITORING REPORT 2020 ADMADM ADMREPORT REPORT ADMADM ADMREPORT REPORT ADMADM REPORT REPORT REPORTREPORT ADMREPORT ADMADM ADMREPORTREPORT REPORT ASEAN-NARCO ASEAN Narcotics Cooperation Center Edited by: September 2021 Manop Kanato Rachanikorn Sarasiri Poonrut Leyatikul

ASEAN DRUG MONITORING REPORT 2020 © ASEAN Narcotics Cooperation Center (ASEAN-NARCO) 2021 Edited by: Manop Kanato Rachanikorn Sarasiri Poonrut Leyatikul Suggested citation: Manop Kanato, Rachanikorn Sarasiri, Poonrut Leyatikul. (Eds.). 2021. ASEAN DRUG MONITORING REPORT 2020. Bangkok: ASEAN Narcotics Cooperation Center. No use of this publication may be made for resale or any other commercial purpose whatsoever without prior permission in writing from ASEAN-NARCO. The content of this publication does not necessarily reflect the views or policies of ASEAN-NARCO or ASEAN Member States, nor does it imply any endorsement. Comments on the report are welcome and can be sent to: ASEAN Narcotics Cooperation Center (ASEAN-NARCO), OFFICE OF THE NARCOTICS CONTROL BOARD 5 Din Daeng Road, Phyathai District Bangkok 10400, Thailand email : [email protected] or [email protected]

ADMADM ADM REPORT ADM REPORT REPORT ADM ADMREPORT Contributors: ADMADM REPORT REPORT REPORTREPORT ADM ADM REPORT REPORT Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), BRUNEI DARUSSALAM National Authority for Combating Drugs (NACD), CAMBODIA National Narcotics Board (BNN), INDONESIA Lao National Commission for Drug Control and Supervision (LCDC), LAO PDR National Anti-Drugs Agency (NADA), MALAYSIA Central Committee for Drug Abuse Control (CCDAC), MYANMAR Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB), PHILIPPINES Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB), SINGAPORE Office of The Narcotics Control Board (ONCB), THAILAND Counter Narcotics Police Department (CND), VIET NAM ASEAN Secretariant



ASEAN DRUG MONITORING REPORT 2020 The ASEAN Drug Monitoring Report The ADM Report 2020 presented an 2020 is the sixth publication of the ASEAN intensive analysis of the latest drug Drug Monitoring Network (ADMN) since the situation in ASEAN by focusing on the demand first ADM Report of 2015 had been and supply of illicit drugs encountered in launched in 2016 at the 37th ASEAN the region. The drug situation in ASEAN Senior Officials Meeting on Drugs (ASOD) remained serious in 2020 although the in Bangkok, Thailand. The information is ASEAN region encountered the pandemic provided in the annual ASEAN Drug of COVID-19 which has kept on outbreaking Monitoring (ADM) Report for timely since 2019. The ADM Report 2020 continued detection of drug issues, as well as analyzing 8 kinds of drugs which are research and policy development in each ATS, opiate/opioids, cannabis, cocaine, New ASEAN Member States. The ADM annual Psychoactive Substance (NPS), Central reports describing drug use trends and Nervous System (CNS) depressants, emerging issues are available in print and hallucinogens and other substances which on the ASEAN-NARCO website. The ADMN, included caffeine, precursor chemicals that a platform which is aimed at collecting were found illegal in most of ASEAN information over time from existing and Member States. ATS remained being the archival data systems of ASEAN Member most common drug of abuse in the region, States that reflect the situation of drug followed by opiates/opioids and cannabis, abuse, such as drug abuse treatment, and respectively. The same as drug users arrest reports. These systems tend to treated in 2020, the top three were ATS, indicate new and existing drug abuse opiates/opioids, and cannabis. ATS-related patterns within ASEAN and each Member crimes were most reported by all ASEAN States. Any of these changes are a sign of Member States, particularly methamphetamine, new patterns of drug abuse that need to both in tablet and crystal forms. The ATS explore further. Data used in ADMN systems seizures appeared to be in huge increase are not population-based, therefore, it is not in 2020 to over 280 metric tons, three-fold easy to develop incidence or prevalence increase from 2017. It was noticeable that rates. However, the ADMN Report helps crystalline methamphetamine seizure was readers to see where new drug abuse nine-fold increase from 7 metric tons in patterns exist and follow how these 2017 to 62 metric tons in 2020 while patterns spread across the ASEAN region. methamphetamine tablet seizure has been

ASEAN DRUG MONITORING REPORT 2020 declined since the end of 2018 but the Though the pandemic of COVID-19 seized amount was over 70 metric tons in caused the delay in the data collection and 2020. Other forms of methamphetamine key-in the ADM Report System of ASEAN (liquid and powder) were seized. Across Member States, with the continual cooperation ASEAN’s total population, the drug offenders and strong intention of the ADMN Teams of arrested in the region in 2020 was 63.8% ASEAN Member States, the ADMN Report per 100,000 population, equivalent to 2020 was successfully formulated. The 10th 421,651 drug offenders which was not ASEAN Drug Monitoring Network Meeting much different from the year 2019 which was held online on 7th-8th April 2021 was at 75.1 per 100,000 population. The to look at Chapter 1 and Chapter 2 of the number of drug crimes committed by ADM Report 2020 and agreed upon to the foreign nationals in ASEAN region increased ADMN Work Plan for the second half more than three-fold in 2020. More than of 2020-2021. The 11th ASEAN Drug Monitoring 90% of these offenders were Southeast Network Meeting was held online on 7th-8th Asian nationals, the rest were from other September 2021 to look at the final draft Asian and European countries, including of ADMN Report of 2020, the amendment Africa and America. of the ADMN Report System User’s Manual as well as to exchange the information The pandemic of COVID-19 broke on drug situation for the preparation of the out in the late of 2019 which made the next publication of ADMN Report 2021, World Health Organization (WHO) finally including to agree on the ADMN Work Plan declare the COVID-19 outbreak as a global for the second half of 2021-2022. pandemic on 11th March 2020. Its pandemic The ADMN Report 2020 was presented has kept on going up in 2020 which affected to the 42nd ASEAN Senior Officials Meeting drug situation with direct and indirect on Drug Matters (ASOD) hosted on line impact on drug control of ASEAN Member by Lao PDR on 14th September 2021 States but it did not affect much to the illicit in Vientiane and the 7th ASEAN Ministerial drug production and trafficking in the Meeting on Drug Matters to be held online region, particularly in the Golden Triangle. on 13th-14th October 2021 by Cambodia This publication of ADMN Report 2020 in Phnom Penh. showed in the Annex, the statistics of drug seizures in the Golden Triangle operated As the coordinator and facilitator under the Operation Golden Triangle 1511 of the ADMN, Thailand looked forward conducted by 5 ASEAN Member States to pursuing the strengthening of the ADMN and China in Greater Mekong Sub-region Project which represented the regional under the Safe Mekong Operation. Large drug monitoring platform and the moving amount of illicit drugs and chemicals were forward to the improvement of the data seized in the target areas in the Golden collection and ADMN Report System. Triangle. Thailand would like to thank the ADMN Teams of ASEAN Member States, ASOD

ASEAN DRUG MONITORING REPORT 2020 Leaders and ASEAN Secretariat, as well as The ADMN Team hoped that ASEAN all stake holders, in particular Thailand Member States would make use of the Substance Abuse Academic Network- ADM Report 2020 for monitoring drugs Assoc.Prof. Manop Kanato, Ph.D and in their countries and in the region. It would his team, Office of the Narcotics Control be our pride for ASEAN-NARCO Board, ASEAN-NARCO for the support and ADMN to be well recognized by the to the success of the ADM Report System ASEAN Leaders, ASEAN Ministers on Drug and the formulation of the ADM Report Control, ASOD Leaders. The ADMN 2020. is really our pride. ADMN Team October 2021



ASEAN DRUG MONITORING REPORT 2020 FOREWORD 1 TABLE OF CONTENTS 13 CHAPTER 1 17 Overview of ASEAN Drug Trends And Patterns 21 26 CHAPTER 2 31 36 Major Drug Problems in ASEAN 38 42 ATS 45 Opiates/Opioids Cannabis NPS Cocaine CNS Depressants Hallucinogen Other

ASEAN DRUG MONITORING REPORT 2020 CHAPTER 3 47 ASEAN Country Report 49 55 Brunei Darussalam 69 Cambodia 75 Indonesia 79 Lao PDR 85 Malaysia 97 Myanmar 107 The Philippines 109 Singapore 125 Thailand Viet Nam 135 Chapter 4 151 Research Knowledge and Innovation 235 Chapter 5 Policy and Implementation Programme ANNEX Concealments and Packaging



ASEAN DRUG MONITORING REPORT 2020 CHAPTER 1 Overview of ASEAN Drug Trends and patterns 1



ASEAN DRUG MONITORING REPORT 2020 1. BACKGROUND Southeast Asia is the southeastern Member States to drive the ASEAN region of Asia, consisting of the regions Community towards being a drug-free that are geographically south of China, region. east of India, and northwest of Australia. Southeast Asia is divided into two ASEAN has called for the regional subregions, namely Mainland Southeast meeting among the ASEAN Senior Officials Asia and Maritime Southeast Asia. on Drug Matters (ASOD) to collaborate Mainland includes Cambodia, Lao PDR, on the regional drug abuse resolution Myanmar, Malaysia, Thailand, and in five areas: law enforcement, Viet Nam. Maritime includes Brunei, preventive drug education, treatment and Indonesia, the Philippines, Singapore, rehabilitation, research, and alternative Timor, and New Guinea. development. There are additional proposals to share information related The Association of Southeast to drug syndicates and watch-list Asian Nations (ASEAN) is a regional suspects under the framework of ASOD. grouping that promotes economic, political, The activities include international and security cooperation among its assistance for the ASEAN Member States ten members: Brunei, Cambodia, to enhance their drug analysis capability Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, and verify drugs for intelligence and the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and investigation purposes. The ASEAN Viet Nam. ASEAN was established in 1967 Narcotics Cooperation Center (ASEAN- and launched the ASEAN Economic NARCO) has been established as a hub Community (AEC) in 2015. The ASEAN to provide preventive and suppressive Community focuses on the effective measures in the region and initiate association among the member states and proactive prevention and resolution on enhancing its competitive capacity with virtually ASEAN countries' drug abuse. other countries. Such focus is subject to three pillars which are security, The ASEAN Drug Monitoring socio-cultural integration, and economic Network (ADMN) began in June 2015. integration. Led to regional economic ADMN is a project under ASEAN-NARCO growth based on policy, the establishment supported by the Office of the Narcotics of the free trade area, regional hub Control Board (ONCB), Thailand. ADMN for transportation, regional collaboration provides a platform to share information, expansion on convenient transportation by analyzing the regional drug situation, and communication, liberal mobilization presenting a national perspective, and of goods, service, capital, investment, and incorporating innovative approaches for labor for single market and production the identification and monitoring of base. It is also the common goal of ASEAN emerging drug problems. The information is provided in the annual ASEAN Drug 3

ASEAN DRUG MONITORING REPORT 2020 Monitoring (ADM) Report to timely detect the data across time can provide an early drug issues, research, and policy warning on new drug patterns also development in each ASEAN Member insights into new spatial drug abuse State. ADMN annual reports describing patterns across the Member States. drug use trends and emerging topics The data was used to develop the first are available in print and on the ASEAN- ASEAN Drug Monitoring (ADM) Report NARCO website. in 2015. The ASEAN-NARCO website has been utilised as an online database and ADMN is a system that aims to information sharing among the ASEAN collect information over time from existing Member States. and archival data systems of ASEAN Member States that reflect the situation The ASEAN Drug Monitoring of drug abuse, such as drug abuse (ADM) Report 2020 presents treatment and arrest reports. These a comprehensive overview of ASEAN's systems tend to indicate new and existing latest drug situation by focusing on the drug abuse patterns within the ten demand and supply of illicit drugs Southeast Asian Nations. Any of these encountered in the region. changes are a sign of new patterns of drug abuse that need to explore further. Chapter 1 provides an overview Because data used in ADMN systems of the drug situation in ASEAN. Chapter 2 are not population-based, it is not easy to presents drugs of concern in ASEAN, develop incidence or prevalence rates. namely Amphetamine Type Stimulants However, one can review these data (ATS), Opiates/Opioids, Cannabis, over time, conclude where new drug abuse New Psychoactive Substances (NPS), patterns exist, and follow how these Cocaine, Central Nervous System (CNS) patterns spread across the Member States. depressants, Hallucinogens, and others. Chapter 3 focuses on ASEAN Member ADMN has developed States' report on their national drug a questionnaire to collect drug information situations. Chapter 4 introduces research since 2015 and created a database through knowledge and innovations undertaken the collaboration of Member States. by the Member States, and Chapter 5 The questionnaire collects data both highlights ASEAN's best practices in policy drug demand and supply. Analyzing and implementation programs. 4

ASEAN DRUG MONITORING REPORT 2020 2. POPULATION Based on the world population below the age of 30. 47.7% of ASEAN's data by the United Nations Department population lives in urban areas. ASEAN is of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA), the sixth-largest economy, behind the ASEAN has the third-largest population United States, China, Japan, Germany, in the world, behind China and India. and the United Kingdom. The average The ASEAN population had increased economic growth of ASEAN Member States from 628.7 million in 2015 to 660.8 million was 5.2% in recent years. And the average in 2020. The increase rate was 0.4%-1.6% GDP per capita among the Member States per annum, ranging from 0.4 million has increased three-fold over the past in Brunei Darussalam to 271.3 million 20 years. However, according to the World in Indonesia. ASEAN's population accounts Bank statistics, significant income for 8.5% of the world population, with disparities remain between and across Indonesia representing 41% of the ASEAN the ASEAN Member States. people. The sex ratio (males per females) in ASEAN is about 1:1, with more than half Figure 1: Population and General Trends in ASEAN 5

ASEAN DRUG MONITORING REPORT 2020 3. SITUATIONS Since the World Health Organization On the other hand, 63.8 drug (WHO) finally declared the COVID-19 offenders were arrested per 100,000 outbreak as a global pandemic on 11 populations in 2020, which was decreased March 2020, its effects on drug situation by 17,7% from 2019. Of these, 71.6% were from the direct and indirect measures of ATS traffickers, while 8.6% opiates/opioid ASEAN member states. traffickers, 12.6% NPS traffickers, and 5.9% cannabis traffickers. Across ASEAN's total population, 81.9 drug users were treated per 100,000 541,018 drug users in ASEAN populations in 2020, which was increased were treated in 2020. Among 100,000 by 24.8% from 2019. Of these, 77.5% were populations, the Philippines has seen ATS users, opiates/opioid users accounted the lowest treatment rate at 2.2, whereas for 16.2%, while 4.3% were cannabis users, the highest rate was Thailand at 263.3. and 1.3% were NPS users. The admission Trends in treatment found decreased from in 2019 was greater than in 2015 at 2019 in most countries. Compared to 2019, a 59.1% increase rate. rate of addiction treatment in Lao PDR, Viet Nam, and Singapore increased. The rest decreased. Figure 2: Rate of Admission for Drug Treatment by Member States 6

ASEAN DRUG MONITORING REPORT 2020 Figure 3: Admission by Drug Types by Member States In 2020, eight drug types were Lao PDR, the Philippines, and Singapore. found in ASEAN, namely: Amphetamine Treatment of opiates/opioids was the Type Stimulants (ATS), opiates/opioids, highest in Malaysia, followed by Thailand cannabis, New Psychoactive Substances and Singapore. Treatment of cannabis was (NPS), cocaine, Central Nervous System the highest in Thailand, followed by (CNS) depressants, hallucinogens, and Malaysia and the Philippines. While a few others. Among commonly used addictive were recorded on NPS, hallucinogens, drugs, ATS was the most widely abused CNS depressants, and cocaine treatment. among ASEAN drug users admitted for treatment and were accounted for There were 421,651 drug offenders three quarters. The second commonly across ASEAN in 2020. The number of used substances were opiates/opioids and drug offenders declined in Cambodia, cannabis. the Philippines, Malaysia, Singapore, and Thailand but increased from 2019 in Thailand had the highest number of the other five countries. ATS admissions, followed by Malaysia, 7

ASEAN DRUG MONITORING REPORT 2020 Figure 4: Trend of Offender Rates by Member States Figure 5: Offenders by Drug Type by Member States 8

ASEAN DRUG MONITORING REPORT 2020 ATS-related crimes were most mentioned, NPS poses a challenge in the reported by all ASEAN countries, changing face of recreational drug use, particularly Methamphetamine, both tablet with more than 10,000 offenders were and crystal forms. Thailand arrested more arrested in Thailand and Malaysia. than 120,000 offenders of ATS-related crimes and over 10,000 offenders in The number of drug crimes Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines, and committed by foreign nationals in the Myanmar. Opioid-related crimes were ASEAN region increased more than three reported most in Malaysia, followed by times in 2020. Over 90% of these Myanmar and Thailand, and a few in offenders are Southeast Asian. The rest Singapore, Lao PDR, and Indonesia. are 70 nationals from other Asian and However, Cannabis-related crimes European countries, including Africa and remained a problem in all ASEAN America. Member States, and continuous monitoring is therefore necessary. As previously Figure 6: Foreign Traffickers Arrested in Member States Classified by Geographical Zone 9

ASEAN DRUG MONITORING REPORT 2020 4. REGIONAL COOPERATION The ASEAN Member States have The \"Safe Mekong Operation\" been facing similar illicit drug emphasises intelligence exchange, problems such as opium poppy cultivation, joint investigation, and operation on heroin production, and Methamphetamine interdiction of essential chemicals and manufacturing in the Golden Triangle. precursors, resulting in effective Thailand, Myanmar, and Lao PDR have suppression within the Golden Triangle collaborated with China in the \"Safe and related areas. As shown, seizures of Mekong Operation\" since 2013, aiming significant drugs and precursors have to suppress drug trafficking along the increased in a short time as a result of this Mekong River and nearby Golden Triangle cooperation. area. In 2015, this international law enforcement initiative expanded to include Viet Nam and Cambodia. Figure 7: Arrests and Seizures by Safe Mekong Operation 10

ASEAN DRUG MONITORING REPORT 2020 Member States law enforcement crystals and Methamphetamine tablets, authorities have intercepted drug while cannabis, heroin, and opium were precursors and chemicals destined for slightly increased. Ketamine showed the production sites, resulting in many somewhat decreased. Although the arrests and seizures. The number of drug COVID-19 epidemic in the region affected offenders arrested has been constantly Safe Mekong Operation, the information increasing since 2015 to more than exchange is still continuing. However, 3,000 people in 2020. Contrarily, the with the ongoing implementation of number of arrests for drug cases, which alternative developments in some areas was high in 2016, records showed less of the Golden Triangle, it is expected in 2017 and 2018 and increased again in that the drug production and trafficking 2019 and 2020. The number of arrests situation in the area would improve in the had a significant difference. There was next few years. a massive increase in Methamphetamine 11



ASEAN DRUG MONITORING REPORT 2020 CHAPTER 2 Major Drug Problems in ASEAN 13



ASEAN DRUG MONITORING REPORT 2020 OVERVIEW cannabis users were greater in the first half and less in the second half. The cause of The number of drug users treated these periodic fluctuations was not clear at in 2020 increased compared to 2019, present. The second most common drug of with over 500,000 users recorded. use was opiates/opioids (opium, heroin, Drug admissions increased by 24.8% and other derivatives). The number of from 65.6 per 100,000 populations in 2019 admissions was significantly greater than to 81.9 per 100,000 populations in 2020. in 2017 and 2018. Within 2020, the Of all drug users treated in 2020, admission number for opioids in the first the top three were ATS, opiates/opioids, half was greater than the second half. and cannabis accounted for 77.5%, 16.2%, The number of admissions was significantly and 4.3%, respectively. greater than in 2017 and 2018. Within 2020, the admission number for opioids in In the first half of 2020, the total the first half was greater than the second number of treated drug users was greater half. The admission number for NPS than in the second half. ATS users were constantly declined from the first half of accounted for 72.3% of all admissions 2017. The admission number for cocaine in the first half of 2020. Although the increased in the second half of 2020. At the total number of admissions decreased in same time, the admissions for other drugs the second half, the proportion of ATS remained low. It should be noted that users among all users increased to 80.2%. the number of drug users in the first half The number of ATS users was greater than was greater than the second half for almost other drugs in every period. The number of every drug type. ATS users was greater in the first half and less in the second half. Similar to ATS, Figure 8: Drug users treated 2020 15

ASEAN DRUG MONITORING REPORT 2020 Figure 9: DRUG ADMISSIONS 2017-2020 In terms of weight, cannabis lower than in 2019. Other drugs seizures seizures were predominantly higher than slightly increased from 2019. Only cocaine, other drugs. In 2020, cannabis seizures cannabis, CNS, and others seizures were four times higher than in 2018. significantly increased from the first half Conversely, cocaine, opiates/opioids, to the second half of 2020. While other and CNS depressant seizures were drugs seizures decreased. Figure 10: Drug Seizures 2020 16

ASEAN DRUG MONITORING REPORT 2020 Figure 11: Drug Seizures 2017- 2020 Data by each type of drug are as follows: 1. ATS increased by 40% from 2017 to 2018 and 38% from 2018 to 2019. Even though Amphetamine-type Stimulants the number decreased by one-third from (ATS) refer to a group of synthetic 2019 to 2020, over 200,000 ATS users drugs whose principal members include were treated (24% increased from 2017). Amphetamine, Methamphetamine, and its derivatives. Among the ASEAN Member Figure 12: ATS users treated 2020 States, several variations of ATS have been seized. These are amphetamine, methamphetamine (tablet, crystals, powder, liquid), ecstasy, ephedrine hydrochloride, and pseudoephedrine. The number of ATS users who received treatment in ASEAN has continuously increased. In 2017, 164,497 ATS users received treatment. The number 17

ASEAN DRUG MONITORING REPORT 2020 Figure 13: ATS users 2017-2020 In the first half of 2017, over Methamphetamine crystalline 90,000 users received treatment for (also known as \"Shabu\" or \"ICE\") was Methamphetamine tablets (85% of the total fourfold increased at the beginning of 2019 ATS users). In the second half of 2017, from the end of 2018. The number there was a massive decrease in drastically decreased in the second half Methamphetamine tablet users. However, of 2019. This wave emerged in 2020 the proportion of Methamphetamine tablet as well. A similar pattern was found in users remained high, at 91% or over the admission of ecstasy users even 100,000 in the first half of 2018 and though the number of ecstasy users over 110,000 in the first half of 2019 was relatively low for each half of the year. equivalent to 80% and 60% of all ATS The admissions for amphetamine was admission in 2018 and 2019 respectively. recorded for the first time in the first half of 2018. The number of users increased Although the number of in the second half. In 2019, the number Methamphetamine tablet users was of Amphetamine users were dramatically slightly declined in the second half, the increased in the first half and decreased proportion remained high at 87% then at the end of 2019. The same pattern decreased in the first half of 2020 but repeated in 2020. there was a slight increase in the second half. 18

ASEAN DRUG MONITORING REPORT 2020 Figure 14: Total ATS Admissions in ASEAN Figure 15: Total Number of ATS Arrests 19

ASEAN DRUG MONITORING REPORT 2020 In the first half of 2017, over 75,000 Unlike Methamphetamine tablets, cases and over 86,000 offenders were Methamphetamine crystalline has reported. In the second half of 2017, continuously increased. The increase in there were 10% increased cases and 6% Methamphetamine crystalline seizures was increased offenders. The number of cases nine-fold, from seven metric tons in 2017 and offenders largely increased in the (22% of all ATS seizures) to 36 metric tons first half of 2018 and declined in the in 2018 (36%), 51 metric tons in 2019 second half of 2018. However, cases in (54%) and 62 metric tons in 2020 (22%). 2018 increased by 57% from 2017, Ecstasy was seized in the first and second while offenders increased by 41%. In 2019, half of 2017 and 2018. The seizure of ATS cases were greater by 18% from ecstasy increased from 2017 to 2020 the second half of 2018, while offenders from 40 kilograms to 140 metric tons. greater by 46%. In the second half of 2019, In early 2018, Methamphetamine liquid and the number of ATS cases and offenders powder were first seized. At the end increased slightly from the first half of 2019. of 2020, the Methamphetamine liquid Cases in 2019 were greater by 14% seizure increased to six metric tons. from 2018 or 79% from 2017, while The increase in Methamphetamine powder offenders greater by 28% from 2018 or seizures was fifteen-fold in a year. 81% from 2017. The accumulated number In the first half of 2018, seizures of of ATS arrests were over 100,000 cases ephedrine, pseudoephedrine, and since the first half of 2018 up to date. Amphetamine were also reported for the first time. Only ephedrine was Although ATS seizures in 2019 reported in the first half of 2019 at were less than in 2018, ATS weight a small amount. seized was over 100 metric tons in 2019. A huge increase appeared in 2020 to Figure 16: ATS seizures 2020 over 280 metric tons, threefold increase from 2017. Of all ATS seizures, Methamphetamine tablets were accounted for 77% in 2017. The proportion became less to 62% in 2018, 45% in 2019, and 25% in 2020. Even though Methamphetamine tablet seizures have declined since the end of 2018, weight seized was over 70 metric tons in 2020. 20

ASEAN DRUG MONITORING REPORT 2020 Figure 17: Total ATS seizures in ASEAN 2. Opiates/Opioids Opium is a highly addictive narcotic drug categorised into three types: 1) natural Opium is dried latex obtained from opiates derived from the opium poppy, the unripe seedpods of the opium poppy 2) extracted opiates including morphine, plant grown at heights above 3,000 feet. heroin, codeine, and tramadol; and Raw opium is a milky white latex that 3) synthetic opioids including fentanyl, blackens as it dries to a sticky brown methadone, buprenorphine, and noscapine. or black resin. It has a heavy smell and In the ASEAN Member States, several bitter taste. On the other hand, the variations of opiates/opioids have been prepared opium is indirectly heated to seized. These include opium, heroin, temperatures at which the active alkaloids, methadone, morphine, nalbuphine, and mainly morphine, are vaporised. Poppy codeine. seeds are a decent source of nutrients, including protein, fatty acids, and minerals. Among opiates/opioids users The opium poppy plant contains narcotic treated in 2020, heroin users were alkaloids. accounted for 91.5%, and 8.0% for opium users. The rest were Methadone, codeine, The pharmacologically active and morphine. The number of opiates/ principles of opium reside in its alkaloids. opioids users’ admission in ASEAN has The two most important are morphine continuously increased. In 2017, 5,950 and papaverine. Morphine is the principal opiates/opioids users received treatment. medical alkaloid of opium as a sedative, The number increased twice in 2018 and hypnotic, and pain medication. Papaverine over 40,000 in 2020, sevenfold from 2017. is used as a smooth muscle relaxant. 21

ASEAN DRUG MONITORING REPORT 2020 Figure 18: Opiates/Opioids users treated 2020 Figure 19: Opiates/Opioids users 2017-2020 22

ASEAN DRUG MONITORING REPORT 2020 In the first half of 2017, almost in the number of opium users. However, 2,000 heroin users received treatment the proportion remained high, at 37% and (55% of opiates/opioids users). In the increased to 1,500 in the first half of 2018, second half of 2017, there was a slight equivalent to 21% of all opiates/opioids decrease in the number of heroin users. admission. This proportion was the same However, the proportion remained high, to the second half of 2018. In 2019 the at 62% and increased to almost 6,000 number of opium users increased to over in the first half of 2018, equivalent to 2,000 in the first half of 2019, equivalent 79% of all opiates/opioids admission. This to 5% of all opiates/opioids admission. proportion was similar to the second half Although the number was stable in the of 2018. The number of heroin users second half, opium users remained at 11%. jumped up to over 40,000 in the first half of 2019, equivalent to 95% of all opiates/ The number of opium users slightly opioids admission. Although declined in declined in 2020, increased to over 2,000 the second half, heroin users remained in the first half of 2020, equivalent to 5% of high, at 88%. In the first half of 2020, all opiates/opioids admission. Although the proportion of heroin users treated were the number were lower in the second half, 94% of all opiates/opioids admission but opium users remained at 12%. dropped down to 88% in the second half. This 2020 wave of heroin and In the first half of 2017, over 1,400 opium users was similar to the 2019 wave. users received treatment for opium (43% of The number of Methadone, morphine, the total opiates/opioids users). In the and codeine users was relatively low second half of 2017, there was a decrease for half of both years. Figure 20: Total Opiates/Opioids Admissions in ASEAN 23

ASEAN DRUG MONITORING REPORT 2020 Figure 21: Total Number of Opiates/Opioids Arrests In the first half of 2017, over 900 half of 2018, cases of opiates/opioids opiates/opioids cases and over 1,000 jumped highly to over 10,000 and 20,000 offenders were reported. In the second half at the end of 2019 but dropped down to of 2017, there were 4% increased cases 51% in the first half of 2020 at 14% and 1% increased offenders. The number offenders. At the end of 2020, the number of cases and offenders were greater in of cases and offenders slightly declined the first half of 2018, fourteen-fold from the first half of 2020. Cases greater in cases, and three-fold greater and offenders in 2020 increased over in offenders. The number was slightly thirteen-fold from 2017. increased in the second half of 2018. However, cases in 2018 increased In 2017, there was a huge fifteen-fold from 2017, while offenders decrease in opiates/opioids seizures increased four-fold. In the first half of 2019, in both halves and constantly in 2018 opiates/opioids cases were 3% greater and 2019. In 2019, opiates/opioids from the second half of 2018, while seizures were less in the first half offenders three-fold greater. At the end of while slightly increased at the end. In 2020, 2019, the number of cases came up to 59% opiates/opioids seizures dropped low all from the first half of 2019, while offenders year round. Overall, seizures increased by were less. Cases in 2019 increased to 39% 119% in 2018 as compared to 2017 but from 2018 or over twenty-fold from 2017, less 55% in 2019 compared to 2018 or while offenders increased three-fold from close to the seizures of 2017. In 2020, 2018 or fifteen-fold from 2017. In the first Overall, seizures decreased to 70% of 2019. 24

ASEAN DRUG MONITORING REPORT 2020 Heroin was accounted for 60% of 2019. In early 2020 opium seizures was all 2020 opiates/opioids seizures. Heroin slightly increased, but a massive decreased seizures were almost stable from the first at the end of 2020. However, there was half of 2017 to the second half of 2017. eight-fold increase from 2017 to 2020. There was seven-fold increase from the second half of 2017 to 2 metric tons in early Methadone and morphine were 2018 and decline at the end. One metric constantly seized in the first and second ton and two metric tons of heroin were half of 2017 up to date, but seizures were seized in the first and the second half relatively low. In the first half of 2018, of 2019 while 4 metric tons were seized codeine was seized for the first time. at the end of 2020. There was a ten-fold In the second half of 2018, codeine increase from 2017 to 2020. seizures were less and lesser from 25 metric tons to 11 metric tons to six and There was a big decline in opium seven metric tons in 2019 to four metric seizures from 470 kilograms in the first half tons in 2020. of 2017 to 102 kilograms in the second half of 2017 but twenty-three-fold increase from Nalbuphine was seized for the the second half of 2017 to two metric tons first time in the second half of 2018. Other in early 2018 then dropped down at the opiates/opioids seizures (buprenorphine, end. Opium seizures were greater in the tramadol) also increased in 2019 and 2020, first half of 2019 to over one metric ton and but the amount was relatively low. over two metric tons in the second half of Figure 22: Opiates/Opioids seizures 2020 25

ASEAN DRUG MONITORING REPORT 2020 Figure 23: Total Opiates/Opioids seizures in ASEAN 3. Cannabis psychoactive cannabinoid in cannabis, affecting brain function, memory, and motor Cannabis is a complex plant control. Cannabis has become popular with over 400 chemical entities, of which among drug users also has been legalised over 60 of them are referred to as for medical use and recreational use cannabinoid compounds. As a result, in some countries. Only Thailand has cannabis can be classified as a stimulant, legalised cannabis for medical use since depressant, or hallucinogen that affects the early 2019 in ASEAN. central nervous system. The three major compounds in cannabis are 1) Cannabinoid Among the ASEAN Member (CBN), a derivative of THC from States, several forms of cannabis have oxidation, 2) Cannabidiol (CBD), and 3) been seized. Examples included cannabis Tetrahydrocannabinol (delta-9-tetra plants, cannabis dried, cannabis resin, and hydrocannabinol, THC). THC is the primary cannabis seeds. 26

ASEAN DRUG MONITORING REPORT 2020 Figure 24: Cannabis users 2017-2020 Figure 25: Total Cannabis Admissions in ASEAN 27

ASEAN DRUG MONITORING REPORT 2020 The cannabis users' admission while highly jumped up to 164% in the first within ASEAN was almost stable between half of 2019 before decreased again (59%) 2017 and 2018. In 2017, nearly 14,000 in the second half of 2019. The number cannabis users received treatment. was slightly increased in early 2020 and The number was less than 1% from 2017 declined at the end. to 2018 but increased up to 47% from 2018 to 2019 then dropped down to 42% It should be noted that the number in 2020. of cannabis users during the first half was much higher than the second half of the In the first half of 2017, there were years. almost 9,000 cannabis users who received treatment. In the second half of 2017, the number of cannabis users was 5,000 but went up to 70% and down to 35% in 2018 first and second halves respectively Figure 26: Total Number of Cannabis Arrests 28

ASEAN DRUG MONITORING REPORT 2020 Figure 27: Cannabis seizures 2020 In the first half of 2017, over 4,000 In 2017, cannabis seizures cannabis cases and offenders were decreased more than 50% from the reported. In the second half of 2017, first half to the second half but primarily there were 9% cases and 11% offenders increased in the first half of 2018 at 150% increased yet became significantly greater then dropped down to 28% in the second in the first half of 2018 to 88% cases half. Cannabis seizures largely increased and 52% offenders and remained in the in the first half of 2019 at 230% and second half. However, cases in 2018 slightly increased by 22% in the second increased by 72% from 2017, while half while gradually increased by 23% offenders increased by 32%. In the in early 2020 and were almost stable first half of 2019, cannabis cases were 30% at the end. Cannabis seizures in 2020 greater from the second half of 2018, increased 36% from 2019, or four-fold while offenders increased eleven-fold. from 2018 or six-fold from 2017. There was In the second half of 2019, the number a massive weight seized to over one metric of cases increased 7% from the first half ton in both halves of 2019 and 2020. of 2019, while offenders were massive It should be noted that this period declined. Cannabis cases were slightly Thailand legalised cannabis for medical increased, while offenders were 48% use in February 2019. in early 2020. At the end of 2020, the number of cases and offenders were declined. Cases and offenders in 2020 were two-fold from 2017. 29

ASEAN DRUG MONITORING REPORT 2020 Figure 28: Total Cannabis seizures in ASEAN Of all cannabis seizures, the increased to over 50 metric tons in 2020. cannabis plant was accounted for 96.8% There was 77% increase in cannabis-dried by weight. There was 33% increase seizures from 2017 to 2020. in cannabis plant seizures from over 500 metric tons in 2017 to nearly Cannabis resin seizure was first 700 metric tons in 2018 yet largely small in 2017 to 2018 by 20% but increased 228% from 2018 to over 2,000 increased massively in 2019 before metric tons in 2019. In 2020, cannabis plant fell off in 2020. Although there was over seizures were over three thousand a one-hundred-fold increase in cannabis metric tons 2020. There was six-fold resin seizures from 2017 to 2019, seizure increase in cannabis plant seizures from weight remained small. In the first half 2017 to 2020. of 2018, cannabis seeds were seized for the first time and reported again in the Cannabis-dried was accounted first half of 2019 and twice in early 2020. for around 3% of all cannabis seizures Even though the seizure was small, by weight. There was 40% greater from it reflected the growing cannabis season. 35 metric tons in 2017 to 50 metric tons in 2018 and declined in 2019 then 30

ASEAN DRUG MONITORING REPORT 2020 4. NPS NPS in this report will be based on the classification stated, although According to the World Drug Report NPS defined in each ASEAN Member 2013 (UNODC, 2013), New Psychoactive States was different. Among the ASEAN Substances (NPS) is an umbrella term Member States, several variations of NPS for unregulated (new) psychoactive have been seized. Examples included substances or synthetic substances that mitragyna speciosa (kratom), ketamine, produce similar effects to illegal drugs khat, cathinone, synthetic cathinones (bath or mimic the effects of controlled drugs, salts), synthetic cannabinoids, and others. not for medical and scientific purposes. The majority of NPS are currently not under Figure 29: NPS users treated 2020 international control by the United Nations Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs 1961 or the United Nations Convention on Psychotropic Drugs 1971. The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) classifies NPS into seven categories according to pharmacology and health consequences as follows: Synthetic Cannabinoids, Synthetic Cathinones, Ketamine, Phenethylamines, Piperazines, plant-based substances, and miscellaneous substances. Figure 30: NPS users 2017-2020 31

ASEAN DRUG MONITORING REPORT 2020 In 2017, almost 6,000 NPS users There were over 1,400 ketamine received treatment. The number of NPS users who received treatment in 2017. users’ admission in ASEAN decreased 30% Only 236 users received treatment in the between 2017 and 2018 then went greater first half of 2017, 6% of all NPS users. In from 2018 to 2019 but a lot less in 2020. the second half of 2017, there was However, the total NPS users for 2020 a five-fold increase in the number of were 55% lower than in 2017. ketamine users. The number decreased by 82% in the first half of 2018 and two-fold Kratom users were accounted for increase in the second half. In 2019 the 73% of all NPS users treated in 2020. number was 76% in the first half of 2019 In the first half of 2017, 94% of total NPS and less 52% in the second half. users received treatment for kratom but The number slightly increased in early 2020 lower 30% in the second half. However, the and declined at the end. proportion of kratom users remained high, at 68% and over 3,000 in the first half Ketamine users who received of 2018, equivalent to 93% of all NPS treatment were 53% from 2017 to 2018, admission. This proportion was higher and 75% greater between 2018 and 2019 than 80% in the second half of 2018. while less 26% in 2020. However, ketamine The number of kratom users increased users who received treatment decreased again to over 2,600 in the first half of 2019, by 39% from 2017 to 2020. In comparison, equivalent to 77% of all NPS admission. the admission of synthetic cathinone This proportion was lower (85%) in the (bath salt) was found for the first time second half of 2019. Although the number in the first half of 2018. Besides, synthetic of Kratom users who received treatment cannabinoids were found for the first time declined in early 2020 or 70% of all NPS in the first half of 2020. users treated and slightly increased to 78% at the end of 2020 Kratom users who received treatment decreased by 25% from 2017 to 2018 and were almost stable between 2018 and 2019 then fell off 54% from 2019 to 2020. However, kratom users who received treatment decreased by 60% from 2017 to 2020. 32

ASEAN DRUG MONITORING REPORT 2020 Figure 31: Total NPS Admissions in ASEAN Figure 32: Total Number of NPS Arrests 33

ASEAN DRUG MONITORING REPORT 2020 In the first half of 2017, over 2020 were increased 80% from 2017. 7,000 NPS cases and over 8,000 offenders It is considerably increase of NPS cases were reported and largely increased and offenders over 10,000 since the end of in the second half. The number of cases 2017. slightly increased while offenders declined in the first half of 2018 and In 2017, NPS seizures were somewhat less in the second half. four-fold from the first half of 2017 to the However, cases in 2018 increased by 43% second half of 2017 and three-fold in the from 2017, while offenders increased first half of 2018 yet 33% less from the by 20%. In the first half of 2019, NPS cases first half of 2018 to the second half of 2018 were 15% greater from the second half then slightly increased in the first half of of 2018, while offenders greater by 53%. 2019 at 7% to 22% in the second half of In the second half of 2019, the number 2019. In 2020, NPS seizures were of NPS cases and offenders were increased constantly and almost stable less than 14% and 32% from the first half at the end of 2020 calculating 20% respectively. In early 2020, the number greater than 2019 or six-fold from 2017. of cases and offenders were 66% Total NPS seizures were over 100 metric yet less by 65% in cases and 25% in ton in weight since early 2018 up to date. offenders at the end of 2020. Cases in Figure 33: NPS seizures 2020 34

ASEAN DRUG MONITORING REPORT 2020 Figure 34: Total NPS seizures in ASEAN Of all NPS seizures, kratom leaves declined constantly in 2020. There was were accounted for 76% by weight. three-fold increase in kratom liquid seizures Greater 64% kratom leaves seized from 2017 to 2020. from over 100 metric tons in 2017 to nearly 170 metric tons in 2018 and still went The seizure of ketamine increased up to 270 metric tons in 2019 to over over six times from 2017 to 2018. Ketamine 370 metric tons in 2020. There was seized weight was almost three metric tons four-fold increase in kratom leaves seizures in early 2018 then less in the second half from 2017 to 2020. of 2018 and early 2019 before went up to over 2 metric tons at the end of 2019. Kratom liquid was accounted In early 2020, ketamine seizures were for 23% of all NPS seizures by weight. less, but three-fold increased at the end There was six-fold increase in kratom liquid of 2020. Synthetic cathinone, synthetic seizures from 40 metric tons in 2017 to cannabinoids, khat, and others have been 270 metric tons in 2018 yet dropped down seized in small amounts since early 2017. to 130 metric tons or 30% in 2019 and 35

ASEAN DRUG MONITORING REPORT 2020 5. Cocaine The number of cocaine users’ admission in ASEAN was relatively Cocaine, scientifically called small between 2017 and 2018. In 2017, methylester of benzoylecgonine, also 49 cocaine users received treatment. known as coke, is a natural substance The number was slightly increased from found in coca leaves for its psychoactive 2017 to 2018 at 4% and went greater alkaloid. The alkaloid content of coca six-fold from 2018 to 2019. However, the leaves differs depending on species, number of admission dropped significantly climate, height above mean sea level, in 2020. plant age, and other factors. The main psychoactive substance present in coca In the first half of 2017, 32 cocaine leaves is cocaine (benzoylmethylecgonine), users received treatment. The number of generally present in the range of 0.3-1%. cocaine users was 49%, 59%, 11% On the street, cocaine comes in either compared from the second half of 2017, of two forms (1) cocaine hydrochloride the first half and the second half of 2018 salt or base, which is a white, odorless respectively while the number was over crystalline powder with a bitter, numbing twice greater and five-fold greater in taste, and (2) cocaine sulfate or crack or the first half and the second half of 2019. rock, which is freebase in white to light In early 2020, there was a significant brown coloured, waxy rock-like substance. decrease (five-fold) in the second half of 2020. The total number of cocaine users for 2020 was similar to 2017. Figure 35: Cocaine users 2017-2020 Figure 36: Total Cocaine Admissions in ASEAN 36

ASEAN DRUG MONITORING REPORT 2020 Figure 37: Total Number of Cocaine Arrests In the first half of 2017, 26 cocaine decreased from the first half of 2020. cases and 39 offenders were reported. Cases in 2020 were a bit more from 2017, In the second half of 2017, there were while offenders somewhat a bit less from 62% increased cases and 13% increased 2017. offenders. The number were greater by 38% of cases and 20% of offenders In 2017, cocaine seizures increased in the first half of 2018 but a bit less in 63% from the first half to the second half the second half of 2018. However, cases and five-fold greater in the first half of 2018. in 2018 increased by 44% from 2017, However, number of cocaine seizures while offenders increased by 12%. In the dropped to 68% from the first half first half of 2019, both cocaine cases and of 2018 to the second half of 2018 offenders were 63% greater from the but significantly went up to eight-fold second half of 2018. In the second half in the first half of 2019 and constantly of 2019, the number of cases were less five-fold in the second half of 2019. from the first half of 2019, while offenders However, cocaine seizures were massively almost stable. In the first half of 2020, decreased in 2020. Cocaine seizures in cocaine cases were 40% reduced from 2020 were two-fold from 2017. Total weight the second half of 2019, and offenders seized was over 15 metric tons at the end were 35% less. In the second half of 2020, of 2019. the number of cases and offenders 37