Substance abuse cases at St Giles Hospital have experienced a staggering increase of 1,094.9% from 2018 to 2022, according to data released by the Ministry of Health. This alarming rise indicates a serious public health issue, particularly affecting young adults and early-middle-aged individuals.
The hospital recorded only 39 admissions related to substance abuse in 2018. By 2022, that figure had soared to 466, prompting Health Minister Dr. Antonio Lalabalavu to describe the situation as indicative of a “worsening drug crisis.” Speaking at the national launch of the Fiji Early Childhood Development (ECD) Policy, Dr. Lalabalavu addressed the complex factors contributing to this trend, including increased drug availability, socio-economic challenges, and improved detection and reporting methods.
One of the critical issues highlighted by Dr. Lalabalavu is the prevalence of harmful practices such as glue sniffing among children. He emphasized the importance of addressing substance abuse in policies aimed at early childhood development, which will place the responsibility on the government and various stakeholders to ensure effective implementation and evaluation.
The data also reveals demographic trends, with iTaukei males making up the majority of admissions, while females represent a smaller portion. Although Fijians of Indian descent and other ethnic backgrounds have also seen increases in substance abuse cases, their numbers remain relatively lower.
In a hopeful note, Dr. Lalabalavu expressed the government’s commitment to utilizing the ECD Policy and other initiatives as instrumental tools in combating the crisis, particularly among the youth. With the number of substance abuse cases on the rise, the focus now turns to the potential effectiveness of these strategies in reversing this troubling trend in the future.
This situation serves as a stark reminder of the importance of early intervention and comprehensive support systems to protect vulnerable populations, especially children and young adults, from the detrimental effects of substance abuse.
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