Global SMART Programme

The Global Synthetics Monitoring: Analyses, Reporting and Trends (SMART) Programme aims to enhance the capacity of Member States and authorities in priority regions to generate, manage, analyse and report synthetic drug information and apply the knowledge to the design of policy and programme interventions. SMART is currently operational in Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Viet Nam.

The production, trafficking and use of amphetamine-type stimulants (ATS) has become grave in recent years and has evolved into a significant human security threat in East Asia. At least half of the global ATS users live in Asia and most of these are methamphetamine users in East and South-East Asia. It is also estimated that 23% of the global ATS seizures and 56% of global methamphetamine seizures occur in East and South-East Asia.

In order to effect and intensify the response to the problem, UNODC launched the Global Synthetics Monitoring: Analysis, Reporting and Trends - SMART - Programme, in September 2008. The SMART programme aims to enhance the capacity of Member States and authorities in the priority regions, to generate, manage, analyse and report synthetic drug information. The programme seeks to support the authorities to apply this scientific and evidence-based knowledge to design effective policies and programmes to combat the problem of synthetic drugs.

The Global SMART Programme is being implemented in a gradual phased manner in the identified priority regions around the world. East and South-East Asia is the first priority region to implement the programme. At present the programme is active in eleven countries in the region – Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Viet Nam.

The initial phase of the Programme has been funded by Australia, Japan, New Zealand, Republic of Korea and Thailand.

_______________________________________________________