Crystal Meth epidemic in North Korea: 1/4 to 1/2 population may be users

"Though the North Korean government would never admit to outsiders that there is a drug problem in the country, the Daily NK has filed many reports over the past several years about this phenomena, suggesting that “bingdu” (what the North Koreans call meth) is available practically at epidemic levels inside the DPRK. Articles claim, among other things, that commodity prices rise and fall depending on the harshness of ongoing crackdowns on bingdu; that middle schoolers in Hamhung, South Hamgyong Province, were caught producing bingdu; that teenagers give it as a birthday gift to peers; and, most recently, that Kim Jong-Un had ordered a crackdown on bingdu producers, sellers, and users. Quotes from defectors and sources who spoke to the Daily NK report that anywhere from a qyarter to a half of the population in North Korea are using the drug."
[link to sinonk.com]

See also:

North Korea: Drugs Rampant, Even Among Teens:
[link to globalvoicesonline.org]

Crystal Meth Use 'Rampant' in N.Korea:
[link to english.chosun.com]

North Korea might be struggling with an unprecedented crystal meth epidemic:
[link to www.nytimes.com]

Narco-Capitalism Grips North Korea:
[link to www.atimes.com]

North Korea's Meth Export:
[link to www.thedailybeast.com]