Methamphetamine use in Fiji is characterized by a concerning trend where a significant number of users prefer injecting the drug. Inshik Sim, the regional coordinator for organized crime analysis and threat monitoring at the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), noted that this issue is uncommon in many countries facing similar meth problems.
This injection trend is correlated with the rising number of HIV cases in Fiji. During the first half of 2024, out of 552 reported HIV cases, 85 were linked to injection drug use. The Fiji Forensic Chemistry Unit has confirmed that they regularly collect discarded syringes from the streets, which have tested positive for methamphetamine.
The situation in Fiji was highlighted in the UNODC report titled “Transnational Organised Crime in the Pacific: Expansion, Challenges, and Impact,” which was launched in Suva. Mr. Sim expressed alarm at the rapid increase of meth use in Fiji and the accessibility of the drug.
He emphasized that, unlike most countries grappling with meth issues, Fiji has a unique problem with injecting drug use among certain user populations. He pointed out that countries like Japan and South Korea also experience similar injection-related concerns, but these cases are rare globally.
Moreover, the connection between drug use and diseases such as HIV has prompted Mr. Sim to urge Pacific leaders to modernize legislation, as current laws are seen as outdated. He indicated that new substances are emerging quickly in the market and called for an updated response to these challenges in the Pacific region.