Fiji is facing a significant threat of transforming into a ‘semi-narco state’ due to a growing methamphetamine issue. Jose Sousa-Santos, a transnational crime expert, warns that if the current trend continues, Southeast Asian cartels and criminal organizations could gain substantial control over the nation.
Not only urban centers in Viti Levu are at risk, but the outer islands, including the Lau Group, are also vulnerable. The Lau Group, frequented by international yacht enthusiasts, lacks stringent security measures at key transportation points, making it an easy target for drug trafficking, including the exchange of white drugs for marijuana on Moala Island.
The youth population in these regions is already showing alarming signs of drug use, leading to an increase in school dropouts and alcohol abuse. Sousa-Santos emphasized that the financial incentives for maintaining the illegal drug trade in Fiji are strong.
He stated, “Is it going to get worse? Fiji is at risk now.” The illicit drug trade’s profitability fuels the operations of criminal syndicates and contributes to the enrichment of wealthy elites involved in this network.
Past reports have indicated that various criminal organizations have functioned in Fiji for years due to collusion with business leaders. Sousa-Santos noted that a recent significant seizure of methamphetamine highlighted the longstanding issue of drug trafficking in the country.
Reflecting on the situation, he remarked that the rise of meth use among youths has surpassed that of cannabis. At St Giles Psychiatric Hospital in Suva, meth is now the most commonly abused drug among young patients. Dr. Balram Pandit, the hospital’s medical superintendent, reported a sharp increase in meth cases, indicating a troubling trend in dependency among the youth, with the youngest patient being just 17.
The ongoing drug crisis is not only affecting the youth but is also destabilizing remote villages in the Lau Group that are already grappling with marijuana issues. Sousa-Santos pointed out that local gangs and criminal entities are eroding traditional community structures, leading to increased social problems including human trafficking and domestic violence.
Kalesi Volatabu, founder of Drug-Free World Fiji, expressed concern that the nation lacks sufficient rehabilitation facilities for substance abuse. She indicated that many individuals are in crisis and seeking help, yet fear retaliation prevents some from speaking out against the drug culture.
Despite the challenges, some community members are actively resisting the drug trade. Volatabu emphasized that the demand for drugs is fueling the problem, making it crucial for local voices to stand against the rising tide of addiction and crime. This article concludes a six-part series examining the serious methamphetamine issue in Fiji.