Methamphetamine use in Fiji is marked by an unusual trend where users frequently opt for injection methods. Inshik Sim, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) regional coordinator for organized crime analysis and threat monitoring, noted that this practice is not common in most countries grappling with meth issues.
This situation has been linked to a rising number of HIV cases in Fiji, with 85 out of 552 new cases in the first half of 2024 attributed to injection drug use. Sim mentioned discussions with the Fiji Forensic Chemistry Unit, which reports collecting discarded syringes from the streets, with tests confirming the presence of methamphetamine.
This trend and its consequences are detailed in a recent UNODC report titled “Transnational Organised Crime in the Pacific: Expansion, Challenges, and Impact,” presented in Suva. Sim highlighted concerns regarding the rapid increase in meth use within Fiji and its easy accessibility.
He pointed out that while many countries struggling with meth do not face widespread syringe use, Fiji presents a different scenario. Countries such as Japan and South Korea share this issue, with injection method use being particularly rare elsewhere.
Sim emphasized the need for Pacific leaders to update outdated legislation, as new substances quickly emerge in the market, leaving the Pacific region lagging behind.