Fijians from low- and middle-income families are increasingly turning to illicit drugs, primarily methamphetamine, commonly referred to as ‘ice’, as a means of quick cash. This troubling trend is raising concerns among the Fiji Police Force and community advocates.
An investigation by Shine a Light spanning two months uncovered alarming findings regarding the local production, distribution, and consumption of meth among Fijians, many of whom are young individuals. While no specific financial assessments of the meth market in Fiji exist, police sources and users suggest it could be worth billions.
Earlier this year, police executed two significant drug busts in Nadi, seizing 4.15 tonnes of meth valued at $2 billion. The last notable raid prior to this occurred in June 2004, when authorities confiscated $1 billion worth of meth and associated chemicals from a lab in Suva.
Historically, meth was a domestic issue, but recent awareness campaigns and advocacy efforts have altered the landscape. A user in his fifties, identified only as U.D, noted that in the 90s and 2000s, a small quantity of meth could cost around $250, whereas now, sex workers can inject it for as little as $5, significantly cheaper than marijuana.
Meth is reportedly accessible at numerous locations throughout Fiji, prompting many residents to ignore the issue out of fear or due to personal connections. According to Assistant Police Commissioner Livai Driu, there has been a noticeable surge in involvement with drugs like meth and cocaine.
Since 2021, illicit drug cases have risen sharply, with more meth cases reported in the first four months of 2024 than in the past five years combined. Driu emphasized the challenge this poses for law enforcement. The meth problem has spread beyond urban and suburban areas, affecting outer islands, notably the Lau Group, a crisis the government acknowledges as being difficult to combat.
Many users interviewed for the article reported a history of marijuana addiction and shared similar adverse effects from meth use, including weight loss and insomnia. Vabauta, a mother of four, attributed her addiction to peer pressure and disclosed that her meth use ultimately led her to contemplate violence and isolation due to its overwhelming hold on her life.
Another user, Michael, began using meth after years of marijuana use and described extreme health repercussions like prolonged insomnia. U.D recounted how his substance use affected his behavior and health, leading to significant weight loss and paranoia.
Police statistics reveal a concerning rise in drug offenses, with a record of 1,047 cases of illegal drug possession recorded in the first seven months of 2024, up from 727 during the same period in the previous year. The majority of drug offenders continue to fall in the 18 to 35 age group.
Sesenieli Naitala, known as Bui, is a local advocate aiming to change the country’s troubling drug situation by promoting awareness and understanding of the effects of substance abuse. She volunteers with Drug-Free World Fiji and founded the Survival Advocacy Network, providing support for sex workers and drug addicts in Suva.
Bui has been involved in outreach efforts, including sessions at St Giles Psychiatric Hospital, where she engages with patients dealing with addiction. She shared a poignant story about a 17-year-old patient who turned to meth as a coping mechanism. The patient’s struggles prompted significant risks to her safety and well-being.
Bui expressed optimism that her advocacy and recent police efforts are raising awareness about the drug crisis, noting that discussions on drug use are becoming more common across various sectors of society.
This article marks the first in a five-part series exploring the growing methamphetamine issue in Fiji, with upcoming reports focused on the local production of the drug and its prevalence in remote islands.