Fijians from low- and middle-income families are increasingly turning to illicit drugs, particularly methamphetamine, commonly known as ‘ice’, as a means of generating quick income. This alarming trend has raised concerns among both the Fiji Police Force and drug advocates.
A recent two-month investigation by Shine a Light explored the illicit drug trade in Fiji, uncovering disturbing findings regarding the local production, sale, and usage of methamphetamine, especially among the youth. Although there is a lack of comprehensive studies on the financial scale of the meth market in Fiji, law enforcement and users estimate its worth to be in the billions. Earlier this year, police conducted two major raids in Nadi, seizing a total of 4.15 tonnes of meth valued at $2 billion.
The last significant drug bust prior occurred in June 2004, when authorities confiscated $1 billion worth of meth and related chemicals from a manufacturing lab in Suva. Previously, meth was seen primarily as a domestic issue, but heightened awareness programs and advocacy have changed that narrative.
A 50-year-old meth user, who identified himself as U.D, recounted how in the 1990s a small amount of meth could cost around $250. Now, sex workers can inject meth for as little as $5, making it more accessible than marijuana. Meth is reportedly available on nearly every street corner in Fiji’s urban areas, a fact well-known yet often ignored by locals due to fear and community ties.
Assistant Commissioner of Police Operations, Livai Driu, noted an increase in the number of individuals involved in ‘white drugs’ like meth and cocaine. The registration of illicit drug cases has seen a significant rise since 2021, with reports indicating that the number of meth cases in the first four months of 2024 already surpasses that of the previous five years.
Driu emphasized the challenge posed by the growing trend of opportunistic behavior from unemployed youth as the police intensify their supply reduction efforts in cities and towns. From January to July 2024, police recorded 1,047 cases of unlawful possession of illicit drugs, a jump from 727 in the same period of 2023. Since 2019, the majority of registered drug offenders have been aged between 18 and 35, with ongoing statistics suggesting an increase in offenses for this demographic.
Many arrested individuals come from informal or squatter settlements, with some resorting to theft to fund their drug habits. Local advocate Sesenieli Naitala, commonly known as Bui, is actively working to change the tide of drug abuse through awareness initiatives. She volunteers with Drug-Free World Fiji, which leads grassroots efforts to combat substance abuse, particularly among the youth.
Bui is also the founder of the Survival Advocacy Network, a sanctuary for sex workers and drug addicts in Suva. Recently, she conducted an outreach program at St Giles Psychiatric Hospital, engaging with patients to understand their struggles with addiction. She shared a concerning case of a 17-year-old long-term meth user who turned to drugs as a coping mechanism for her difficulties, illustrating the grave impacts of substance abuse on individuals’ lives.
Bui believes that the growing recognition of the drug problem within Fiji, spurred by police action and advocacy work, is beginning to drive important conversations about drug issues nationwide.
This article is the first in a five-part series that aims to investigate the rising methamphetamine problem in Fiji, including local production and its prevalence in the outer islands.