Fiji is facing a critical risk of becoming a ‘semi-narco state’ as it struggles with a growing methamphetamine issue. Transnational crime specialist Jose Sousa-Santos warns that if the situation escalates, it will grant significant influence to Southeast Asian cartels and other criminal groups over the country.
The problem is not confined to urban areas on Viti Levu; the outer islands, including the Lau Group, are also at risk due to their attractiveness to international yacht visitors and their geographic vulnerabilities. The lack of security measures at key points such as wharves and domestic airports makes these islands more prone to the influx of illegal drugs, which are already being traded against marijuana on Moala Island.
The alarming rise in drug use among the youth in these islands is evidenced by increasing school dropout rates and heightened alcohol consumption. Sousa-Santos emphasized that there is substantial financial incentive for maintaining the illegal drug trade in Fiji. He predicted that the situation could worsen unless proactive measures are taken, stating, “Fiji is at risk now.”
He also noted the existence of organized crime networks operating in Fiji for over a decade, facilitated by the involvement of business elites in the drug trade. The trafficking of meth and other illicit drugs poses serious concerns, as indicated by large seizures of methamphetamine, suggesting historic trafficking activities that had gone unnoticed.
In a recent investigative series on the methamphetamine crisis in Fiji, experts discussed the social consequences of drug trafficking on local communities. Sousa-Santos highlighted that previously, the public may not have comprehended the potential impact of meth, but signs of its spread were evident. He urged law enforcement and government bodies in Fiji to adapt to the evolving tactics of criminal syndicates to avoid falling behind.
The rise in meth use among young people is reflected in statistics from St Giles Psychiatric Hospital in Suva, where meth has become the leading drug for youth patients, overtaking cannabis. Dr. Balram Pandit, the hospital’s medical superintendent, reported that most male youth undergoing treatment are meth users. Addiction to meth often leads to exacerbated mental health issues among patients, and effective treatment requires the commitment of individuals seeking recovery.
The meth crisis extends beyond youth, affecting the fabric of remote villages in the Lau Group as well, which are already grappling with marijuana issues. Sousa-Santos noted that the influence of local gangs is contributing to the erosion of traditional structures, leading to increased domestic violence and the movement of young individuals to urban areas for involvement in human trafficking.
Kalesi Volatabu, founder of Drug-Free World Fiji, expressed concern over the lack of rehabilitative facilities for substance abuse, indicating that the community is in crisis. However, there are community members resisting the drug culture. Volatabu emphasized the urgent need for action, as local demand for drugs grows, leading to an escalating crisis in Fiji.
This report concludes a six-part series examining the serious implications of the methamphetamine issue in Fiji.