ATS seizures reached a new record high in 2024, dominated by methamphetamine.
The use of amphetamines has distinct regional patterns; past-year use is generally higher among men (0.85 per cent) than women (0.34 per cent) globally.The largest markets for ATS, mainly methamphetamine, remain East and South-East Asia and North America. The highest past-year use of amphetamines…
Data show a growing importance of 3,4-MDP-2-P methyl glycidic acid related substances among “ecstasy” precursors and an ongoing concentration of “ecstasy” precursor seizures in Europe.Historically, 3,4-MDP-2-P, also known as piperonyl methyl ketone (PMK), has been the primary precursor chemical…
“Ecstasy” seizures reached record levels in 2024, surpassing pre-COVID-19 pandemic highs.The quantity of “ecstasy” (MDMA) seized worldwide increased by 13 percent from 2023 to 2024, more than doubling compared with 2021 levels following a pandemic-related decline.Increases were widespread in 2024…
Most “ecstasy” found in the global market continues to be produced in Western and Central Europe.Data suggest that the bulk of the "ecstasy" is still being produced in Europe, with 82 per cent of reported countries of transit or departure of seized shipments around the world being from the region.…
“Ecstasy” use remains highest in high income countries and parts of Asia.Past-year use of "ecstasy" globally is estimated at 0.4 per cent among those aged 15-64. Use is higher among men (0.54 per cent) than women (0.26 per cent), but the difference is not as pronounced as for other drugs (for…
ATS seizures and dismantled laboratoriesSeizures of amphetamine-type stimulants (ATS) continue to grow globally, dominated by methamphetamine.Quantities of ATS seized have increased more than for any other drug category, reaching a record 604 tons in 2024; methamphetamine dominates both seizures…
The global NPS market continues to evolve rapidly, with new substances entering the market and shifting preferences.By 2025, the total number of NPS identified by Member States since 2005 grew close to 1,500 which – despite the scheduling of new substances in 2025 – is more than four times the…
The illicit ketamine market has expanded beyond Asia, with rising use and emerging harms in new regions.Once concentrated in East and South-East Asia, several countries with time-series data (for example, the United Kingdom, Australia or the United States) have recorded an increase in the use of…
Global methamphetamine seizures reached another record high in 2024, with the highest growth rates reported by so-called emerging markets.East and South-East Asia and North America continue to account for the largest methamphetamine seizures globally, although seizures declined in North America…
There continue to be challenges in the interdiction and reporting of laboratories and precursors as traffickers continue to shift precursors and production locations to avoid interceptionsfor the manufacture of methamphetamine in Europe seems to be largely limited to the Kingdom of the Netherlands…
Most methamphetamine trafficking remains intra-regional, although some inter-regional trafficking has also been detected in recent years.The largest markets for methamphetamine – and most intra-regional trafficking – remain in East and South-East Asia and North America, although trafficking has…
