l citizens have taken to producing the drug themselves.There is also evidence to suggest that meth produced in North Korea is smuggled out to countries including China and the US. In December, five smugglers caught in Thailand said their original produce had come from North Korea.According to her report, there is little stigma attached to meth use, with some people using it as a treatment for colds, as a pick-me-up or to stay up late while studying. It is also used to curb appetites and is offered as casually as a cup of tea, Demick writes.People gather at a rally at Kim Il-Sung square, PyongyangReutersLee Saera, from Hoeryong, said: "If you go to somebody's house it is a polite way to greet somebody by offering them a sniff. It is like drinking coffee when you're sleepy, but ice is so much better."It is thought the North Korean government is not strict in terms of its drug laws. A recent report showed that marijuana was widely used among poorer people in the communist nation.North Korean leaders used to organise production of the drug to raise money and when it was produced, it was strictly to be exported. The DEA suggested there may be leftover stockpiles of the drug as recent samples seized were 99% pure.However, since the government stopped production, North Koreans have taken it upon themselves to create the drug.Kim Yong Chol, who fled North Korea last year,UK Nike Air Max 2011 Men Black Green, said: "North Korean people learn fast to reuse their skills."Former methamphetamine dealer Park Kyung Ok said the penatly could be lenient."If you are caught once or twice, with only a small amount like me, you can get away with it if you have connections. But a third time,UK Nike Air Max 2014 Mens Shoes White Black, you will be in real trouble." Argentina's Central Bank Spends $115m to Control Slide in PesoBy Jerin MathewJanuary 29, 2014 06:59 GMTArgentine President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner speaks.ReutersArgentina's central bank spent millions of dollars to control the peso's slide against the US dollar after President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner relaxed capital controls.The Wall Street Journal, citing a source, said the bank spent about $115m (�84m, ��69m) on 28 January in order to reduce the gap between the official and black-market exchange rates.The peso remained stable, closing at 8.01 per dollar on the regulated MAE wholesale currency market on 28 January. Last week,UK Nike Air Max 2011 Men All Black Grey, the central bank allowed the currency to slide 15% in Argentina's biggest currency devaluation since the 2002 crisis.Meanwhile,Nike Air Max 2013 Green Black, black-market rates for peso weakened to 12.30 per dollar from 12.25, according to local media. The unofficial rates rose to a record 12.75 pesos per dollar last week.Argentina's decision to ease limits on dollar purchase resulted in price increases of as much as 30% on consumer goods as international reserves fell to a seven-year low.On 27 January, the country allowed some Argentines to buy as much as $2,000 a month for savings purposes as part of the Kirchner administration's move to take business away from the black market. Argentines have been approaching underground agencies to get dollars for travel or to protect their savings from inflation.Declining ReservesThe central bank's spending is expected to further diminish the country's foreign-currency reserves, which dropped to $28.9bn on 27 January. Without ample reserves, the country would find it difficult to meet its foreign debts and pay for imports.Following the country's economic collapse in 2001-2002 and its currency's devaluation, Argentina has found it nearly impossible to attract international loans at market rates. It has since been using its foreign reserves to meet its international payments.The country has been suffering from a capital flight and dollar shortage since 2011,Mens Nike Air Max 2013 UK, making it difficult to legally trade pesos for US dollars.RelatedArgentina President Kirchner Fights Peso DevaluationArgentineans need Government Approval to Buy on Foreign WebsitesIn an attempt to control the situation, the government has introduced a number of restrictions on transactions involving foreign currency. That included a 35% tariff on credit
