Fijians from low- and middle-income families are increasingly turning to illicit drugs, particularly methamphetamine, also known as ‘ice’, in search of quick monetary gains. This worrying trend has raised alarms among the Fiji Police Force and various advocacy groups.
A recent investigation conducted by Shine a Light over two months unveiled troubling insights into the illicit drug trade in Fiji, highlighting how many young Fijians are engaging in the production, sale, and consumption of methamphetamine. While specific studies detailing the monetary value of the meth market in Fiji are lacking, police sources and users estimate its worth in the billions. Earlier this year, police conducted major drug raids in Nadi, confiscating 4.15 tonnes of meth valued at $2 billion. The last significant drug bust occurred in June 2004, when $1 billion worth of meth and related chemicals were discovered in a laboratory in Suva.
Methamphetamine has primarily been a domestic issue, but recent nationwide awareness campaigns have sought to address the situation. A meth user in his fifties, known as U.D, recounted that in the 1990s and 2000s, a small quantity of meth could cost around $250, whereas today, sex workers might inject meth for as little as $5—cheaper than marijuana. Meth’s availability has become widely known among Fijians, yet many choose to ignore it due to fear of repercussions and because of their close ties to those involved.
Assistant Commissioner of Police Operations, Livai Driu, noted an uptick in involvement with “white drugs” like meth and cocaine. Since 2021, there has been a significant rise in overall drug cases, with meth incidents from January to April 2024 surpassing the total of the previous five years.
“The challenge is considerable,” Driu said in a recent interview. The use of meth is spreading beyond urban areas in Viti Levu, significantly impacting outer islands, particularly the Lau Group, where the government acknowledges they’re losing the battle against this drug issue.
Many meth users interviewed are individuals from low-income families who began their addiction to substances at a young age, often exacerbated by social circles of fellow users. They reported detrimental effects from meth, including severe weight loss and insomnia.
A mother of four, referred to as Vabauta, attributed her drug use to peer influence, having experimented with meth, marijuana, and various other substances. She ceased using meth after realizing it was affecting her mental state and relationships. Similarly, Michael, a sex worker in his early thirties, shared the unhealthy toll meth took on his life, recounting nights without sleep and escalating dependency.
U.D also detailed the abysmal impact meth had on his health and behavior, revealing that it led to paranoia and social withdrawal.
Statistics from police indicate a concerning trend, with 1,047 cases of unlawful possession of illicit drugs recorded in the first seven months of 2024, an increase from 727 during the same timeframe in 2023. Since 2019, the majority of registered drug offenders have been between the ages of 18 and 35, and figures for this demographic in 2024 are on track to surpass last year’s total.
Mr. Driu mentioned that many individuals resort to theft and robbery to fund their drug purchases, with most recent arrests stemming from squatter settlements and informal housing.
In response to this growing crisis, advocate Sesenieli Naitala, known as Bui, is actively working to spread awareness about drug abuse and its consequences. As a volunteer for Drug-Free World Fiji, she leads initiatives aimed at combating the drug issue, particularly among youth. She also established a sanctuary for sex workers and drug addicts in Suva, known as the Survival Advocacy Network (SAN).
Bui shared her experiences working with patients at St. Giles Psychiatric Hospital, engaging them in discussions about addiction and recovery. One of her most poignant cases involved a 17-year-old meth user who resorted to drugs as a way to cope with personal trauma.
Drug-Free World Fiji has resumed its outreach at St. Giles, which had been paused during the pandemic. Bui noted the shifting attitudes within the community towards recognizing the drug problem in Fiji. She emphasized the pressing need to address the meth “crisis,” especially given the notable increase in meth-related crimes this year. Bui believes her advocacy efforts, combined with police action, are fostering critical conversations about drug use throughout the nation.
This report serves as the first in a series examining the escalating methamphetamine situation in Fiji, aiming to uncover local production methods and the drug’s prevalence in remote islands.