St. Giles Hospital is on track to surpass 1,000 admissions by the end of this year, highlighting the urgent need for a drug rehabilitation center in Fiji. Dr. Myrielle Allen, a consultant psychiatrist at St. Giles, revealed during a recent Speaker’s Debate that in 2021, the facility recorded approximately 570 admissions. This number increased to 886 last year, and by the end of September this year, they had already welcomed 765 individuals, with an average of 90 admissions monthly projected to bring them to the 1,000 mark by December.
Dr. Allen noted that a concerning 68 percent of the admissions were readmissions, indicating frequent relapses among patients, while 32 percent were seeking mental health support for the first time. Substance use problems comprise about 70 percent of admissions, with nearly all substance users reported to be abusing multiple drugs. The most commonly used substances include marijuana, methamphetamines, glue, and benzene. Alarmingly, from October of last year until this October, 57 young individuals tested positive for HIV, with 90 percent being male.
The addiction crisis is reportedly widespread, affecting individuals from all regions of Fiji. Dr. Allen emphasized the complexity of drug dependence and highlighted the challenge of maintaining sobriety post-treatment, due to the easy access to drugs in patients’ environments.
Member of Parliament Ioane Naivalurua echoed the need for sensitive treatment of those struggling with addiction, advocating for compassionate and honest rehabilitation efforts. He mentioned that plans for rehabilitation facilities are in development, notably a faith-based initiative in Lautoka. Naivalurua stressed the importance of targeted prevention strategies, suggesting that effective interventions should begin early in childhood development and continue through adolescence, encouraging a deeper understanding of the reasons to avoid drug use.
In summary, the rising admissions at St. Giles demonstrate a critical issue within Fiji’s public health landscape, necessitating immediate action toward establishing rehabilitation facilities to support those affected by substance abuse. The ongoing dialogue and plans for prevention and treatment represent a hopeful step toward addressing this growing challenge within the community.
As the community continues to confront and tackle these issues, there is a possibility for positive change and recovery for those impacted by addiction.
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