A house, tucked away in a suburban neighborhood, has become a meeting place for youths to use methamphetamine, commonly known as ice.
For safety reasons, the names of residents involved in this story will not be disclosed.
“Inside its abandoned and empty spaces, tiny plastic sachets that once contained ice litter the floor,” said one resident. “I saw discarded syringes at a corner where the floor met the wall.”
By chance, a local informant, Mr. X, revealed that young men, mostly under the age of 35, frequent the house. Curtains remain drawn to conceal the activities inside.
“The room was dark, and a candle was lit, used to heat and liquefy a substance I believe to be ice. Afterward, they would inject themselves. I didn’t stay longer than that and left,” Mr. X said.
The property once served as a family home, welcoming fresh air through open doors and featuring a hedge of assorted plants on the front lawn.
A common footpath beside the property leads to a nearby bus stop, used by school children and working adults for their commute to Suva city, about 20 minutes away. Residents reported another nearby abandoned house, partially destroyed by fire, which now serves as a meeting spot for drug users and alcohol.
“Nobody bothers because people are too busy minding their own business. The police have been known to patrol here, but they hardly come around now. When they do come, we can see them from afar,” one resident added.
Local police confirmed several arrests related to meth use in this neighborhood, a trend also seen along the Lami-Nausori corridor.
Killer Drug Suspected
Recently, a funeral took an unexpected turn when a family used the occasion to warn against hard drug abuse. The deceased, aged 29, reportedly succumbed to meth abuse. During the eulogy, a relative warned other youths to avoid drugs, changing the tone from customary adulation to a grave caution.
The deceased’s family remained silent about the circumstances surrounding his death until the funeral service, where the talatala (religious leader) addressed the issue directly, urging attendees to focus on their spiritual lives instead of drugs.
Another incident involved a 19-year-old who went missing on the night of the Coca-Cola Games. He returned home looking unwell and was later hospitalized with severe drug abuse symptoms. He eventually confessed and sought forgiveness before dying.
These tragedies have shocked the community, though a lay preacher noted that many parents remain in denial about the growing drug menace affecting the younger generation. He emphasized the need for parental supervision and early intervention.
The Raid
In April, local residents, churches, and police collaborated to raid a home suspected of manufacturing meth. According to Mr. Q, a participant in the raid, the house was cared for by a younger relative involved in meth production. Although the raid yielded some chemical substances and needles, no arrests were made as the suspect had fled.
The homeowner, shocked by the news, has since moved back into her home.
Drug Abuse and Mental Health
A report by Tomu Vunakece indicates that the suburb had an estimated population of over 12,000 in the 1960s and 1970s, with around 7,000 under the age of 21. This figure has presumably doubled over the decades, further exacerbated by nearby squatter settlements.
Last week, a 14-year-old was the youngest to be referred to St Giles Psychiatric Hospital for drug abuse. Cannabis, methamphetamine, and alcohol are the most common reasons for admissions so far this year. According to Medical Superintendent Dr. Balram Pandit, the hospital received 8,000 visits in contrast to the previous year’s 6,000.
Minister for Agriculture and Waterways Vatimi Rayalu recently issued a strong warning about the impact of drugs on youths, urging parents to spend quality time with their children and be aware of their activities.
“Our kids are dying, our kids are going to the mental institution, and our kids are transporting drugs. We must wake up; this is a direct threat that’s destroying the iTaukei people,” he stated. Rayalu, who frequently visits the Raiwai suburb, encourages youths to stay away from drugs through sports participation.
“Adults should stop being negligent and wake up to what children are doing,” he emphasized. “If you see youths using drugs, call the police to solve it, don’t be scared.”