DRUGS Ecstasy use a global problem

Abuse of synthetic drugs such as ecstasy and miracle diet pills is on the rise world-wide, and countries are failing to target those responsible, a UN-funded drugs body said yesterday. The Vienna-based International Narcotics Control Board (INCB) said in its annual report that drug production, trafficking and abuse had spread to previously unaffected areas, aided by the opening up of global borders.

While drug law enforcement had improved in some countries, with a significant rise in seizures, countries needed to focus their efforts internationally on catching big-time traffickers, rather than small-time users and pushers, the report said. It highlighted the immense economic power of transnational crime syndicates, which it said posed a serious threat to police, judiciary and politicians.

The INCB is the guarantor of international drug control treaties which outlaw narcotics such as cocaine, heroin and synthetic or "designer" drugs.