VIENNA, Austria – December 2017: The Central Asia Synthetic Drugs Situation Assessment 2017 presents that latest information on synthetic drugs, including amphetamine-type stimulants (ATS) and new psychoactive substances (NPS). The report also provides a contextual analysis of the synthetic drug situation in neighbouring countries including the Russian Federation, China and the Islamic Republic of Iran.
The emergence of a growing number of NPS has been reported by almost every country in Central Asia. Between 2013 and 2016, a total of 58 NPS have been reported by Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. Of these NPS, more than 43 per cent consisted of synthetic cathinones, followed by synthetic cannabinoids accounting for a 38 per cent share, and phenethylamines making up a 10 per cent share. According to the assessment, there have been a number of reports of NPS being trafficked to and from countries in Central Asia. In recent years, countries in the region have taken steps that included legislative measures and the development of forensic capabilities to address the emergence of NPS.
Source: UNODC, Early Warning Advisory on NPS.
For more information, please see:
UNODC report - Central Asia Synthetic Drugs Situation Assessment 2017
www.unodc.org/unodc/en/scientists/Central-Asia-synthetic-drugs-situation-assessment.html