Fiji’s struggle against drug trafficking and abuse is hampered by resource scarcity, weak policies, and insufficient data on substances entering the country, according to the Fiji Counter Narcotics Strategy 2023-2028. The report also revealed cocaine and other psychoactive substances were involved in 210 out of 1579 recorded cases of drug exhibits worth $202,484,896 between 2019 and 2023. Drug-related incidents rose in 2023 to 1615, compared to 1275 in 2019, with the 18-to-35 age demographic being the most prevalent offenders. Marijuana remained most popular, constituting 94% of drug seizures, with kava, alcohol, cigarettes, glue, and turpentine also presenting challenges.
Per the strategic plan, the National Defence and Security Council will make decisions while the Coordination and Steering Committee will oversee execution. The document proposes seven strategic areas and steps to combat drug abuse. The first strategy entails prevention and awareness through public education and community engagement. The second strategy focuses on supply reduction, with the establishment of a Counter Narcotics Bureau acting as the lead agency for enforcement operations. An emphasis will also be placed on border control, disrupting supply chains, and cracking down on money laundering related to drug crimes.
The third strategy is concerned with reducing harm by developing treatments and recovery options for drug users, including lowering barriers for treatment accessibility. Under this plan, all health facilities should have the necessary resources in case of a drug overdose and management programs for sexually transmitted diseases.
The strategy also involves review of existing laws, data collection and analysis to understand the societal impacts of drug use, and the establishment of a “drug court”, similar to ones seen in the U.S. This court would offer treatment programs as an alternative to prison sentences for drug-use offenses.
The final strategy aims to strengthen international partnerships and cooperation, including establishing a regional drug control platform with neighboring Pacific Island countries, and enhancing cooperation with agencies such as Oceania Customs Organisation, the World Customs Organization, INTERPOL, and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).