Methamphetamine is a stimulant, which induces euphoria, but can lead to dangerous side effects such as violent behaviour and depression.
The amphetamines are often called ‘speed,' by drug addicts and users and ‘60s blues-rock band Canned Heat warned about their dangers in their song Amphetamine Annie, which said that "speed kills."
Delegates at the 24th International Drug Enforcement Conference in Toronto heard that synthetic drugs such as ecstasy and methamphetamine were becoming a worldwide menace.
"Methamphetamine trafficking and the movement of its precursor chemicals are an increasing global threat," Ms Tandy told the conference.
"More than 26 million people worldwide use amphetamines - largely methamphetamines... ," she added and gave the example of a laboratory in Indonesia, raided in November, which had exports linked to Hong Kong, Thailand, Singapore and the US.
Criminal gangs were also exporting methamphetamine from the US to Japan, and the raw ingredients of the drug were being shipped from India and China and smuggled through third countries, Ms tandy added.
