St. Giles Hospital is on track to surpass 1,000 admissions by the end of this year, raising significant concerns about the rising need for a drug rehabilitation center in Fiji. Consultant psychiatrist Dr. Myrielle Allen highlighted this issue during the Speaker’s Debate at the Grand Pacific Hotel in Suva on Tuesday. She noted that admissions at St. Giles were approximately 570 in 2021 and rose to 886 last year. As of September this year, the hospital had already recorded 765 admissions, projecting that with the current trend, the figure could easily surpass 1,000 by December.
Dr. Allen observed that a substantial 68% of these admissions involve readmissions due to relapses, with 32% being first-time contacts with mental health services. Alarmingly, around 70% of admissions are related to substance use, and many individuals reportedly misuse multiple substances. The prevalence of drug abuse has escalated to the extent that it is no longer confined to specific areas, impacting communities across Fiji.
Efforts to address this crisis have prompted calls for a well-planned rehabilitation facility. Opposition MP Ioane Naivalurua emphasized the importance of treating individuals grappling with addiction with compassion and honesty. He mentioned that several plans for rehabilitation centers are underway, including initiatives by faith-based organizations.
Naivalurua also stressed the significance of early prevention strategies, which research shows can be effective when introduced during childhood and maintained through adolescence. This approach aims to educate young people on the rationale behind avoiding drugs, rather than merely teaching them how to say no.
The increase in admissions at St. Giles is a troubling sign of a larger societal issue, yet it also opens the door for proactive measures focused on rehabilitation and prevention. By investing in these essential services and fostering understanding within communities, there is hope for a significant positive change in addressing substance abuse and its impact on mental health in Fiji.
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