Fijians from low- and middle-income families are increasingly turning to illicit drugs, notably methamphetamine, commonly referred to as ‘ice,’ in search of quick financial gains. This disturbing trend is causing concern among the Fiji Police Force and advocacy groups.
A two-month investigation by Shine a Light into the illicit drug trade in Fiji revealed alarming insights into how many Fijians, especially younger individuals, are engaging in the local production, distribution, and consumption of methamphetamine. While there are no formal assessments of the meth market’s monetary value in Fiji, sources within the police and drug users suggest that it amounts to billions of dollars. Earlier this year, police conducted two significant drug raids in Nadi, resulting in the confiscation of 4.15 tonnes of meth valued at around $2 billion.
The last notable seizure occurred in June 2004, when $1 billion worth of meth and its manufacturing materials were confiscated from a laboratory in the Laucala Beach industrial zone of Suva. Despite long being a localized drug, meth has become more visible following recent national awareness campaigns and advocacy initiatives.
One user in his fifties, identified as U.D, noted that in the 1990s and 2000s, a small quantity of meth purchased on the street could cost about $250. In contrast, nowadays, sex workers often inject meth for as little as $5, cheaper than marijuana. Availability of meth at street corners across Fijian cities is common knowledge among local residents, who often choose to ignore the issue due to fear and community ties.
Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Operations, Livai Driu, indicated that authorities have observed an increase in involvement with ‘white drugs,’ such as meth and cocaine. Since 2021, illicit drug cases have surged, with meth cases already surpassing the totals from the last five years within the first four months of 2024.
Driu described the situation as quite challenging, noting that the prevalence of meth is no longer confined to urban areas of Viti Levu, but is also increasingly affecting outer islands, particularly the Lau groups, which the government is struggling to combat.
Users interviewed for the report frequently cited their backgrounds in low-income families and noted that their addiction often began in adolescence, exacerbated by associations with other drug users. Common repercussions of meth addiction include significant weight loss and severe sleep deprivation. One mother, who preferred to be known as Vabauta, cited peer influence as the catalyst for her early drug use, which included meth, marijuana, and glue. She ultimately quit after experiencing violent impulses and extreme isolation.
Michael, a sex worker in his thirties, recounted his struggles with addiction starting with marijuana at 17 and transitioning to meth three years ago, leading to equally damaging consequences such as insomnia. Another user, U.D, recalled how alcohol consumption led to his initiation into meth usage, negatively impacting both his health and behavior.
Mr. Driu remarked on the troubling pattern of ‘opportunistic’ behavior among unemployed youth, revealing that police efforts to reduce drug supply are expanding, particularly in urban centers. Statistics show that from January to July 2024, police recorded 1,047 cases of illegal drug possession, a significant increase from 727 during the same timeframe in 2023. The largest demographic of drug offenders since 2019 has been individuals aged 18 to 35, with numbers for 2024 already exceeding those from the previous year.
To counter this crisis, local advocates like Sesenieli Naitala, known as Bui, are working to raise awareness about drug misuse and its consequences. Bui is involved with Drug-Free World Fiji, a non-profit leading grassroots initiatives against drug abuse, particularly among youth. She also founded the Survival Advocacy Network (SAN) in Suva, which serves as a sanctuary for sex workers and drug addicts.
This advocacy includes outreach programs at St. Giles Psychiatric Hospital, where Bui engages with patients facing addiction. She shared the story of a young patient who used meth as a coping mechanism and faced dire consequences, including thoughts of suicide and violent acts to support her drug habit.
Bui noted an increasing recognition of the drug issue, stating that people are starting to engage in conversations about methamphetamine’s dangers within communities, schools, and families. Despite the challenges, Bui expressed hope that her efforts, combined with police actions against drug trafficking, could foster a more informed discussion around drug use in Fiji.
The article represents the first part of a five-part series exploring the growing methamphetamine crisis in Fiji, with further investigations planned into local production and prevalence on outer islands.