Fijians from low- and middle-income families are increasingly turning to illicit drugs, particularly methamphetamine, also known as ‘ice’, as a means of quick financial gain. This troubling trend has raised alarms among the Fiji Police Force and various advocates.
A two-month investigation by Shine a Light has uncovered alarming insights into the illicit drug trade in Fiji, particularly focusing on how a significant number of young Fijians are involved in the production, sale, and consumption of methamphetamine. While no comprehensive studies have quantified the financial worth of the meth market in Fiji, both police sources and users estimate it to be in the billions.
Earlier this year, police conducted two major drug raids in Nadi, resulting in the seizure of 4.15 tonnes of meth valued at $2 billion. The last significant bust occurred in June 2004, when authorities seized $1 billion worth of ice and chemicals required for its production in a laboratory in Suva’s Laucala Beach industrial area.
Historically, meth has been a domestic drug issue, but awareness programs and advocacy have recently sought to address the growing concern. A meth user in his fifties, who goes by U.D., noted that in the 1990s and 2000s, a small amount of meth could cost around $250, whereas today sex workers can inject meth for as little as $5, making it less expensive than marijuana.
Meth is widely available throughout Fijian cities and towns, and while many residents are aware of its circulation, fear and close relationships often lead them to ignore the problem.
Assistant Police Commissioner Livai Driu reported an uptick in the number of individuals involved in “white drugs,” including meth and cocaine. Since 2021, the number of registered illicit drug cases has surged, with more meth cases reported in the first four months of 2024 than in the previous five years. Driu described this situation as a significant challenge for law enforcement.
The issue of meth use is expanding beyond urban areas to outer islands, such as the Lau Group, where the government acknowledges that it is struggling to cope with the crisis. Many meth users interviewed were formerly marijuana addicts from low-income backgrounds whose dependencies worsened after engaging with other drug users. Common negative effects included weight loss and chronic sleep deprivation.
A mother of four, referred to as Vabauta, shared that she began using drugs at a young age due to peer pressure. She eventually quit using meth after it led her to contemplate violence and social isolation. Another user, Michael, a sex worker in his thirties, related his struggles with meth addiction, revealing that he went without sleep for over a week while using the drug.
Driu expressed concern about the opportunistic behavior among unemployed youth, especially as police intensify efforts to reduce drug supply in cities. Statistics indicate a rise in unlawful possession of illicit drugs; 1,047 cases were reported in the first half of 2024, compared to 727 during the same period in 2023. Most offenders are aged between 18 and 35, often from squatter and informal settlements.
Sesenieli Naitala, a local advocate for drug awareness and founder of the Survival Advocacy Network in Suva, is actively working to change the country’s trajectory regarding substance abuse. Her organization recently resumed outreach programs at the St. Giles Psychiatric Hospital, where she engages with individuals grappling with addiction.
Naitala recounted the story of a 17-year-old patient at St. Giles, marking her as the youngest meth user encountered in her work. Many individuals, like this patient, often use meth to cope with personal hardships, putting their safety at risk.
Family members of drug users often remain unaware of the extent of the addiction until significant changes in behavior occur, like weight loss or erratic behavior. Naitala’s initiatives aim to heighten community awareness and encourage conversations about the drug crisis in Fiji.
The series will continue to investigate the local production of meth and explore its prevalence, particularly in outer islands. The initiative has support from Transparent Pacific and Internews.