Fiji is facing the significant threat of evolving into a ‘semi-narco state’ due to a rising methamphetamine issue. Jose Sousa-Santos, an expert in transnational crime, warns that if the situation worsens, Southeast Asian cartels and criminal syndicates could gain substantial influence over the nation.
The impact of this crisis will not be confined to urban areas on Viti Levu; even remote regions like the Lau Group, frequented by international yacht visitors, are vulnerable. The geographical characteristics of Lau, combined with inadequate security measures at local transportation hubs, enhance the risk of illicit drug trafficking, particularly meth, which is already being exchanged for marijuana on Moala Island.
There are troubling signs among the youth in these islands, including a significant rise in school dropouts and alcohol use. Sousa-Santos noted that the financial incentives from the ongoing illegal drug trade allow criminal networks to thrive. He emphasized that Fiji is currently at risk and questioned whether the situation would deteriorate further.
He pointed out that the money generated from drug sales assures the ongoing operations of these syndicates. With the recent significant meth seizure in Fiji, Sousa-Santos expressed concern that this indicated a long-standing issue that had previously gone undetected.
Reflecting on the evolution of the meth crisis, Sousa-Santos mentioned that only a few years ago there was little awareness of the potential effects of meth on Fijian society. Experts had predicted the impending challenges stemming from the drug trade, including its association with growing rates of intravenous drug use and human trafficking.
The tactics employed by criminal groups are continuously adapting. Sousa-Santos warned that the Pacific could soon encounter ‘hybridized’ methods of drug trafficking similar to those seen in the US and Southeast Asia. He urged law enforcement and government agencies across the Pacific, especially in Fiji, to proactively respond to these evolving threats.
The increasing prevalence of meth among Fiji’s youth is alarming. At St Giles Psychiatric Hospital, meth use has surpassed cannabis, with a notable rise in patients seeking treatment. Dr. Balram Pandit, the hospital’s medical superintendent, reported that almost all young male patients in treatment are using meth, with cases previously being much lower. He noted that meth dependency often leads to additional mental health challenges, and successful recovery largely depends on the individual’s motivation.
The proliferation of meth trafficking in Fiji has far-reaching effects beyond the youth demographic, destabilizing communities in the Lau Group, which are also grappling with marijuana issues. Sousa-Santos highlighted that the encroachment of gangs into these remote villages is eroding traditional societal structures, leading to increased human trafficking and domestic violence.
Kalesi Volatabu, founder of Drug-Free World Fiji, indicated a growing sense of urgency in addressing the drug crisis. She expressed frustration that, despite the escalating need for rehabilitation facilities, little progress had been made. However, some community members are starting to resist the drug culture and assert that they do not want this issue to proliferate.
This article concludes a six-part series examining the methamphetamine crisis in Fiji.