VIENNA, Austria – October 2021: On the 20th of October, the UNODC Global SMART Programme launched a report on Synthetic Drugs and New Psychoactive Substances in Latin America and the Caribbean 2021 which provides an overview on the latest synthetic drug and NPS trends, highlighting recent supply and demand dynamics and options for response in the region.

The report provides insight on an expanding methamphetamine market, growing concerns around the non-medical use of ketamine, the emergence of fentanyl and MDMA manufacture, as well as new “ecstasy” trends such as higher dosed MDMA tablets and new forms of presentation such as crystalline MDMA. Moreover, the report sheds light on the comparatively high prevalence of use of hallucinogens in the region and the high prevalence of use of tranquilizers among women.

Additionally, for the first time, the report also contains a chapter on the illicit manufacture of synthetic drugs and precursors.

Figure: Precursors for “ecstasy”

For more information, please see:

UNODC, Synthetic Drugs and New Psychoactive Substances in Latin America and the Caribbean 2021 (September 2021).

UNODC,Global SMART Newsletter for Latin America and the Caribbean, Issue No. 8 (July 2021).

UNODC, Global Synthetic Drug Assessment – Regional Overview Americas (November 2020).

The activities of the Global SMART Programme in Latin America and the Caribbean are supported by the Government of Canada.

***The Spanish translation of this news item is made possible thanks to a collaboration with OAS/CICAD, a partner of the UNODC EWA.***