E/CN.7/594 page 13
ASIA AND THE FAR EAST
A. Extent, patterns and trends of drug abuse by countries and territories
67. BURMA 16/ Opium is the principal drug of abuse. Addiction to heroin (smoked or injected) has recently spread among young people in urban centres. More than 12 000 persons addicted to narcotics (94.9 per cent male) were registered in 1974. There has also been abuse of synthetic narcotics (pethidine) and psychotropic drugs (Mandrax). There were 204 cases of heroin offences, 1 404 of opium and morphine and 270 of cannabis. The Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs Law of 1974 provides for the registration and compulsory treatment of addicts.
68.
INDIA Opium, cannabis and psychotropic substances are the most abused drugs. There are some 80 000 registered opium addicts; opium is taken orally by older people; only 1 419 persons used it by smoking. There were 3 164 persons arrested for opium offences. More than 2 000 opium seizures were noted. The problem of opium abuse, as compared with the figures reported for the previous year, remains at approximately the same level. The non-medical and quasi-medical consumption of opium had been prohibited in 1959 and since that date opium has been supplied from Government Treasuries/Depots to the registered addicts on certificates granted by medical authorities. Cannabis (Ganja) is abused mainly by industrial and plantation workers in the lower income population groups. It is also abused by young people, particularly students. The use of cannabis resin (Charas) extracts and tinctures is not permitted by law whereas the non-medical use of Ganja (cannabis) is allowed. The number of persons arrested for cannabis offences (7 519) decreased as compared with the previous year (9 565). A few cases of cocaine offences were also noted. Psychotropic substances are particularly abused by affluent groups of people in urban centres, students and educated youth. Cannabis and amphetamine- type drugs are the most common combinations in multiple drug abuse.
69. INDONESIA 17/ The drug abuse problem, especially among young people living in urban areas,
seems to be on the rise. Cannabis is the most favoured drug among new drug abusers. Morphine is particularly popular among young abusers between 13 and 25 years of age who obtain it illicitly. The number of morphine abusers is estimated at two to four thousand. There are seven to ten thousand opium smokers mainly from the Riau Archipelago; they belong to the older age groups.
70.
JAPAN 18/ is confronted with a third wave of drug abuse, caused mainly by the abuse of stimulants (methamphetamines) which is spreading all over the country. It is estimated that some 1 300 persons are abusing amphetamines by injection. Of the 10 127 persons prosecuted for drug offences in 1975, 9 527 involved amphetamines and other stimulants. These numbers indicate a substantial increase of amphetamine-related problems as compared with the information provided in preceding reports. In addition to stimulants, cannabis, heroin and LSD are abused to a lesser extent. The number of users of sleeping pills or minor tranquillizers has been increasing among the middle and advanced age groups.
16/ Annual report for 1974 and INCB report for 1975.
17/ Statement by representative at twenty-sixth session and WHO Meeting on Epidemiology of Drug Dependence, 1976.
18/ Statement by representative at fourth special session.