Fiji is facing the threat of becoming a ‘semi-narco state’ as it struggles with a rising methamphetamine crisis. Transnational crime specialist Jose Sousa-Santos warns that if the situation continues to escalate, Southeast Asian drug cartels will establish significant influence over the nation.
The impact of this drug problem is not confined to urban areas in Viti Levu; the outer islands, including the Lau Group, are also at risk, especially given their appeal to international yacht-goers. Lau’s geographic features and the absence of strict security measures at transportation hubs make it particularly vulnerable to the influx of illicit drugs, which are already being traded with marijuana on Moala island.
A disturbing increase in drug consumption among the youth on these islands is evidenced by the rising number of school dropouts and alcohol use. Sousa-Santos emphasizes that the financial incentives for maintaining the illicit drug market are substantial, expressing concern about Fiji’s current risk levels.
He pointed out that profit from drugs ensures that criminal groups can maintain their operations and fund their activities, allowing wealthy elites to reap significant financial rewards from the drug trade. Past reports indicate that various criminal organizations have operated in Fiji for over a decade, partly due to involvement from business leaders.
Mr. Sousa-Santos categorized the situation as ‘troubling’, especially after significant meth seizures were reported, suggesting that such quantities had been circulating undetected for many years. This week’s segment concludes a series on Fiji’s meth crisis, incorporating insights from experts about the social ramifications of drug trafficking on local communities.
Three to four years ago, awareness of meth’s potential impact on Fijian society was limited, with many lacking understanding of its consequences, including its role in sex and human trafficking and intravenous drug use. Reflecting on past discussions with government and law enforcement, Sousa-Santos remarked that the imminent drug crisis was foreseen by experts observing the evolving landscape of drug syndicates.
Criminal strategies for drug trafficking are continually adapting, leading to the emergence of hybridized techniques similar to those currently utilized in the US and Southeast Asia. Sousa-Santos insisted that Pacific nations, including Fiji, must stay ahead of these evolving threats to avoid failure in combating organized crime.
Meanwhile, the number of youth meth users in Fiji is on the rise. St Giles Psychiatric Hospital in Suva now sees meth as the primary drug among young patients, surpassing cannabis usage. Hospital superintendent Dr. Balram Pandit revealed that nine out of eleven young male patients receiving treatment were addicted to meth. This dependence often exacerbates existing mental health issues, with the youngest patient being only 17 years old.
Treatments at the hospital include drug therapies and counseling, yet Dr. Pandit emphasizes the importance of patient motivation in the recovery process.
The issue extends beyond urban centers, as the meth trafficking market threatens the stability of remote villages in the Lau Group, where marijuana use is already problematic. Sousa-Santos noted that local gangs and illicit networks are eroding traditional community structures, contributing to an increase in domestic violence and the movement of vulnerable young individuals toward urban areas for exploitation.
Kalesi Volatabu, founder of Drug-Free World Fiji, expressed concern over the lack of rehabilitation facilities for substance abuse patients, stating that the situation has not improved over the years. Though some community members feel intimidated by the drug culture, others are fighting back against the rise of addiction and illicit activities.
Volatabu highlighted that there is a local demand for these drugs, resulting in the escalating crisis, but she also noted a growing resistance among villagers who are standing against the drug problem. This article concludes an extensive series on the methamphetamine issue in Fiji.