Drug authorities from 14 countries began three days of meetings in Siem Reap Thursday to discuss the growing problem of drug addiction across Asia.

The region is a source of poppy, cannabis and chemical narcotics, whose drugs were traditionally shipped to Western countries.

These countries are now increasingly creating home-grown addicts, whiling Cambodia is facing a menacing methamphetamine problem.

In April, police raided a drugs lab and confiscated nearly 5 tons of drug-making chemicals that authorities said were being used to make "crazy pills" for local consumption and transnational trafficking.

Interior Minister Sar Kheng, who is also the head of the National Anti-Drug Authority, presided over the meeting.

Cambodia had a plan to attack the problem, he said, in cooperation with the UN and other non-government agencies.