Fijians from low- and middle-income families are increasingly turning to illicit drugs, particularly methamphetamine, known as ‘ice’, as a source of quick income. This alarming trend has raised concerns among the Fiji Police Force and addiction advocates.
A two-month investigation by Shine a Light into the illicit drug trade in Fiji uncovered disturbing insights into how many Fijians, particularly youths, are engaging in the local production, sale, and consumption of methamphetamine. While there is no definitive study on the monetary value of the meth market in Fiji, sources from the Police and drug users estimate its worth in the billions. Earlier this year, police executed two significant drug raids in Nadi, confiscating 4.15 tonnes of meth valued at $2 billion. The last major drug bust before that occurred in June 2004, when authorities seized $1 billion worth of meth and related chemicals.
Meth has historically been a drug associated with domestic use, but recent nationwide awareness initiatives have aimed to address its prevalence. A meth user in his fifties, referred to as U.D, reminisced about the 1990s and 2000s when a small amount of meth sold for $250, contrasting it with the current prices that allow sex workers to inject meth for as little as $5, making it more affordable than a marijuana joint. Meth is readily available on the streets of Fiji, an open secret that many residents choose to ignore due to fear and their own connections to the drug culture.
Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Operations, Livai Driu, noted a significant rise in individuals using ‘white drugs’ like meth and cocaine. Since 2021, the overall number of illicit drug cases has surged, with a record number of meth cases reported in just the first four months of 2024—surpassing any totals from the previous five years. Driu remarked on the challenge this presents for law enforcement.
The problem is not restricted to urban areas; outer islands, particularly the Lau Group, are also facing an escalating addiction crisis, which the government acknowledges as a losing battle. Users we interviewed mostly came from low-income families, having begun their addiction at a young age through peer influence and exposure to other substance users. They reported severe consequences, including significant weight loss and insomnia.
One user, identified as Vabauta and a mother of four, shared her experiences with various drugs due to peer pressure. She eventually ceased using meth after it pushed her to consider harming others and caused her to isolate herself. For Michael, a sex worker in his early thirties, meth use led to severe health issues, including going over a week without sleep.
U.D recounted his own struggles with meth, describing how it affected his behavior and health, resulting in noticeable changes that alarmed his family. He shared the paranoia and fear he experienced while under the drug’s influence.
Driu pointed out an upward trend in ‘opportunistic’ crimes among unemployed youth as they pursue money for drugs. From January to July 2024, police recorded 1,047 cases of unlawful drug possession, an increase from 727 cases during the same period in 2023. Many of those arrested come from informal settlements, indicating a troubling cycle of poverty and addiction.
Local advocate Sesenieli Naitala, also known as Bui, is actively trying to address this issue through community outreach and education about the dangers of drug use. Bui, who leads the Drug-Free World Fiji initiative, aims to foster awareness about the drug crisis, especially among the youth. Her efforts include visits to psychiatric hospitals to engage with those struggling with addiction.
The program at St Giles Psychiatric Hospital has provided a platform for understanding addiction’s roots and guiding patients on their path to recovery. Bui shared a poignant story about a young patient who used meth as a coping mechanism, emphasizing that substance abuse often jeopardizes personal safety and well-being.
Bui believes that her advocacy, along with law enforcement actions against drug trafficking, is helping to raise awareness and engage various sectors of society in combating the meth crisis. She noted an increase in community dialogue around drug use, a significant shift from previous attitudes.
This marks the first installment in a five-part series that will further examine the growing methamphetamine issue in Fiji, including questions about local production and the drug’s prevalence in remote areas.