South America, Central America and the Caribbean regional overview

Cannabis and cocaine continue to dominate the drug market and law enforcement efforts in South America, Central America and the Caribbean, so that comparatively little data is available with regards to ATS in the region. Although ATS use among the general population remains at low levels, some countries, including Bolivia, Honduras, Costa Rica and Jamaica, have reported high levels of use among youths, sometimes even exceeding cannabis and/or cocaine use. Nevertheless, ATS continues to make up a small share of the regional drug market. In recent years, “ecstasy” has become the main ATS used in some South American countries and people treated for “ecstasy” use make up a large share of the total number treated for ATS use in the region, at about 63 per cent in Argentina and 53 per cent in Colombia. There have been several reports of ATS manufacture, particularly in Central American countries, and there are indications that these substances are being trafficked to Western Europe and Eastern Asia. NPS are becoming a growing threat in the region, as these are sometimes being sold as “ecstasy” tablets or “LSD” on the illicit drug market.

Related Subject(s): Drugs Crime and Terrorism