Improper destruction of seized illicit drugs in Asian countries causes environmental and forensic harm and requires a sustainable disposal framework

Drug destruction is a key part of a holistic approach to drug control management-not only within Asian countries but worldwide-due to the vast volumes of illicit drugs confiscated every year. Despite the fact that the emphasis on drug control has been on seizures, the techniques for destroying seized drugs are still generally archaic, scientifically deficient and environmentally damaging. This is particularly true in many Asian countries that seize vast amounts of illegal substances each year. A comprehensive review of drug destruction methods and environmental contamination potential and public health impact within various Asian locations are discussed here. Problems with current destruction practices from a chemical and environmental viewpoint are outlined. The topic of environmentally sustainable drug destruction techniques that do not compromise the integrity of forensic evidence is certainly one that must be addressed.