Fijians from low- and middle-income families are increasingly turning to illicit drugs, particularly methamphetamine, commonly referred to as ‘ice’, as a means of quick financial gain. This rising trend has raised alarms among the Fiji Police Force and various advocacy groups.
A recent two-month investigation by Shine a Light into Fiji’s illicit drug trade has uncovered alarming findings regarding the involvement of many Fijians, particularly youth, in the production, sale, and consumption of methamphetamine.
While there are no formal analyses available to determine the monetary value of the meth market in Fiji, police sources and users suggest it could be worth billions. Earlier this year, police conducted two significant drug raids in Nadi, seizing 4.15 tonnes of meth valued at $2 billion. The previous notable bust occurred in June 2004, when authorities confiscated $1 billion worth of meth and related chemicals from a laboratory in Suva.
Meth has traditionally been a drug associated more with suburban areas, but recent nationwide awareness initiatives have highlighted the problem. A user in his fifties, known as U.D, shared that in the 90s and early 2000s, a small quantity of meth could cost around $250. Today, sex workers can inject meth for as little as $5, making it more accessible than marijuana. Many Fijians are aware of the drug’s presence in their neighborhoods but often ignore it out of fear or personal connections.
Assistant Police Commissioner Livai Driu highlighted a growing number of individuals engaging with meth and cocaine. Since 2021, the overall illicit drug cases have surged, with the first four months of 2024 seeing more meth cases recorded than in the preceding five years.
The meth issue has spread beyond urban centers, affecting outer islands, particularly the Lau Group, with officials acknowledging the challenge as one they are struggling to combat.
Many meth users are former marijuana addicts from low-income backgrounds whose addiction escalated through social circles. They often experience severe side effects, including dramatic weight loss and insomnia. A mother identified as Vabauta recounted her early drug use and the peer pressure that led to her addiction. She eventually stopped using meth after it drove her to contemplate harming others and resulted in extreme isolation.
Similar experiences were voiced by Michael, a sex worker in his thirties, who reported severe health consequences from meth use, including prolonged periods without sleep. U.D recounted how meth negatively impacted his behavior and health, leading to noticeable changes that worried his family.
According to police statistics, there were 1,047 unlawful possession of illicit drugs cases in the first half of 2024, a rise from 727 cases during the same period the previous year. Most offenders are aged between 18 and 35, with 718 individuals from this age group recorded in the first seven months of 2024—an increase from 514 the year before. Police have encountered a pattern where individuals resort to crimes like thefts to fund their drug habits.
Advocates are stepping up efforts to combat this growing problem. Sesenieli Naitala, known as Bui, who works with Drug-Free World Fiji, is dedicated to raising awareness about drug abuse and its impacts. She founded a support group for sex workers and addicts in Suva and leads outreach sessions at St Giles Psychiatric Hospital.
Bui shared a distressing story about a 17-year-old patient at the hospital who turned to meth as a coping mechanism. The increasing awareness of drug-related issues, fueled by advocacy and police action, is fostering discussions about meth throughout the community.
Bui emphasized the urgency of addressing the meth crisis in Fiji, highlighting the rising incidence of meth-related crime. She believes that her advocacy, combined with law enforcement efforts, is promoting dialogue about the issue across schools, families, and the wider community.
This report marks the first in a series exploring the escalating methamphetamine situation in Fiji, with further investigations planned to uncover the drug’s local production and prevalence in outer islands.