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The first-ever United Nations global survey on ecstasy and amphetamines reveals a striking picture of increase in production, trafficking and abuse of synthetic drugs worldwide.

Over the last decade, the seizures of amphetamine-type stimulants (ATS) have risen tenfold from about 4 tons in 1990-1991 to almost 40 tons in 2000-2001; estimated production has reached more than 500 tons a year; abuse is spreading at an alarming rate, with more than 40 million people having used them over the past 12 months.

"ATS are emerging as a 'public enemy number one' among illicit drugs. Neglected by societies as an almost acceptable feature of the 'let's-have-fun' culture in clubs and dance settings, synthetic drugs abuse begins with experimental use among mostly young people. Gradually, it may lead to dangerous polydrug use and addiction, with severe health consequences", said Antonio Maria Costa, Executive Director of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).

"Health hazards are major and cumulative. Amphetamines may cause dependence and psychoses. Ecstasy may speed up the normal aging process, leading to Alzheimer-type symptoms. Who will assist, and pay for, a generation of abusers under-performing in schools and at work because of the impact of abuse?" Mr. Costa asked.

The UNODC survey documents the alarming increase in the number and size of manufacturing sites, in more and more countries. Law enforcement agencies have dismantled a record number of "kitchen labs", but there is evidence of sophisticated clandestine operations with 100-kilogram capacities per week, an equivalent to 1 million Ecstasy pills, or 4 per cent of the estimated global weekly demand. In 2001, close to 8,000 methamphetamine laboratories have been seized, mostly in the United States.

In the past 12 months, 34 million people worldwide have abused amphetamine and methamphetamine, and 8 million abused Ecstasy. This exceeds the number of cocaine and heroin abusers combined. Abuse is highest in East and South-East Asia, followed by Europe, Australia and the United States.

Unlike cocaine and heroin, whose production is limited by geography and climate, ATS can be produced anywhere. Currently, production is mainly in Europe and North America.

"Increasingly, clandestine operators are taking advantage of the easy transfer of technology, including the use of the Internet, in setting up labs where favourable conditions exist: access to precursor chemicals, growing demand, corrupt officials, poor law enforcement, lack of extradition and/or light sentencing. This has led to a greater involvement of criminal groups with ruthless forms of marketing", the survey says.

The survey estimates the ATS business value at about $65 billion a year, with profit rates ranging between 3000-4000 per cent.

"The abuse of synthetic drugs risks becoming culturally sanctioned, blurring the notion of drug addiction, as parents and governments alike are confused about the severity of their impact. Especially alarming are occasional calls for some form of liberalization of substances that have the potential to maim our youth", Mr. Costa said.

The survey also reveals the serious health implications of chronic use of amphetamine and methamphetamine including dependence, characterized by compulsive drug seeking and psychoses. Symptoms such as confusion, delirium and panic, as well as all kinds of hallucinations follow. Worrying health implications of Ecstasy include Neurotoxicity, an early decline in mental function and memory, or the onset of Alzheimer-type symptoms.

Methamphetamines are found to be the most intensely used in North America and East Asia, amphetamines in Europe –- East and West. Ecstasy is mainly produced in Europe and consumed globally.

The report concludes on a hopeful note. Over 99 per cent of humanity has no drug abuse problem.