Two new books explore the problem of methamphetamine, in South Asia and the US

by: Salaam

Fri May 08, 2009 at 22:48:11 PM EDT

South Asia and the 'flyover states' of the US share a common problem that has fallen out of the media recently but remains an ongoing issue: abuse of methamphetamine, or yaba (yabba) as it is known in South Asia. From reports, yaba seems to be making it's greatest inroads in the Muslim community in Bangladesh. From Time Asia, here's a photo-essay of Thai yaba users from 2001.

Two new books just out investigate the rise of meth in both regions. Methland chronicles the struggles of a small town in Iowa as it reports on the development of the larger problem in 'flyover country.' In Merchants of Madness two Thailand-based reporters document the rise of yaba in South Asia and the criminal enterprise behind it.

Salaam :: Two new books explore the problem of methamphetamine, in South Asia and the US