In South-Eastern Europe, and Western and Central Europe, amphetamine-type stimulants (ATS) use and health harm remain mainly linked to amphetamine and are relatively low compared to other regions.Amphetamines are the third most common stimulant drugs group in Europe after cocaine and “ecstasy”.…
Methamphetamine and other ATS remain the leading substances for which people seek drug treatment in East and South-East Asia.The number of people receiving treatment for ATS use, mainly methamphetamine, has remained stable or declined in the majority of reporting countries – with the exception of…
ATS seizures reached a new record high in 2024, dominated by methamphetamine.
The synthetic drugs market in the Near and Middle East remains dynamic, following disruptions in the supply of “captagon”.The Near and Middle East accounted for 77 per cent of global “captagon” seizures in 2020–2024, with production mainly in the Syrian Arab Republic and Lebanon and trafficking…
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.…
The use of “ecstasy” remains highest in high income countries and parts of Asia.Global prevalence of "ecstasy" use in the past year is estimated at 0.4% of the general population aged 15-64 years with higher values among males (0.54%) than among females (0.26%) although the difference is not as…
The subregion with the highest annual prevalence of use of "ecstasy" globally is Australia and New Zealand where "ecstasy" is mostly used in capsules and crystal form.In Australia, after a decline in the use and availability of "ecstasy" since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, use and…
The “ecstasy” market remains concentrated in Europe (mainly Western and Central Europe)The use of “ecstasy” is relatively high in Western and Central Europe with nearly 4 million of people estimated to have used the substance in the past year in 2024. In contrast, the estimated number of users was…
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…
