Fijians from low- and middle-income families are increasingly turning to illicit drugs, especially methamphetamine, commonly referred to as ‘ice,’ as a means of making quick money. This troubling trend has raised alarms among the Fiji Police Force and various advocacy groups.
A two-month investigation by Shine a Light into Fiji’s drug trade revealed alarming findings about how many Fijians, particularly youth, are engaging in the local production, distribution, and consumption of methamphetamine. Although no comprehensive studies have estimated the monetary value of the meth market in Fiji, police sources and users claim it could be worth billions.
Earlier this year, two significant drug raids in Nadi led to the seizure of 4.15 tonnes of methamphetamine valued at $2 billion. The last major bust prior to that took place in June 2004 when $1 billion worth of ice and related chemicals were confiscated from a Suva lab.
Historically, meth was primarily a domestic issue, but recent nationwide awareness campaigns have highlighted the problem. A meth user in his fifties, known as U.D., noted that in the 1990s and 2000s, a small street purchase would cost around $250, while today, sex workers can inject it for as little as $5, making it more accessible than marijuana.
Meth is now widely available in Fiji’s cities and towns. Despite being common knowledge among residents, many choose to ignore the issue due to fear or personal connections to drug users. Assistant Police Commissioner Livai Driu indicated that the involvement in “white drugs,” such as meth and cocaine, has seen a rise in recent years. Since 2021, the number of illicit drug cases has surged, with more meth cases reported in the first four months of 2024 than in the previous five years combined.
Driu remarked on the challenges faced by law enforcement, with meth use spreading beyond urban areas to remote islands, including the Lau Group. Users typically come from low-income backgrounds and often started using drugs at a young age, exacerbated by association with other users. These individuals commonly report harmful effects such as significant weight loss and severe insomnia.
Vabauta, a mother of four who began using drugs early in life, cited peer pressure as the catalyst for her addiction. She has tried various substances, including meth, which led her to consider self-harm and eventually isolate herself. Similarly, Michael, a sex worker in his thirties, shared his struggles with meth dependency after initiating drug use with marijuana at 17.
Driu explained that the rise in drug-related offenses, particularly among unemployed youth, is concerning. Statistics from the police indicate that unlawful possession of illicit drugs cases rose sharply in the first seven months of 2024 compared to the previous year, showing a significant surge in drug offenders aged 18 to 35.
Local advocate Sesenieli Naitala, known as Bui, is actively working to address drug abuse through awareness initiatives. As a volunteer with Drug-Free World Fiji and founder of the Survival Advocacy Network in Suva, she is dedicated to helping those struggling with addiction. Bui recently conducted outreach sessions at St Giles Psychiatric Hospital, aiming to provide support and guidance to patients grappling with drug dependency.
Bui’s work highlights real-life examples of struggles faced by young users, including a 17-year-old girl who turned to meth as a coping mechanism for tough life experiences. Bui emphasized the importance of addressing the issue, noting increasing community awareness about drug abuse.
She believes that dialogue surrounding drug use is evolving, with greater participation from schools, youth groups, families, and the wider community. Bui considers Fiji to be in the midst of a meth crisis, particularly with the recent uptick in drug-related offenses. She remains hopeful that her efforts, in combination with police actions, are contributing to a national conversation about the implications of meth use in Fiji.
This article is part one of a five-part series that will explore the growing methamphetamine issue in Fiji, including its local production and prevalence in the outer islands.