Meth Easy Money For Young Fijians

Fijians in low-and middle-income families, are looking to illicit drugs, particularly methamphetamine, also known as 'ice', as a source of easy money-a growing trend that has the Fiji Police Force and advocates worried.

Shine a Light carried out a two-months investigation into the illicit drug trade in Fiji, revealing some shocking results of how Fijians, the chunk of whom are young people, have invested their time and money in the local production, sale and use of methamphetamine.

Although no studies have been done on the dollar value of the ice market in Fiji, Police sources and drug users say the country's meth market value is in the billions.

Earlier this year, two separate major drug raids in Nadi by Police resulted in the seizure of 4.15 tonnes of meth with a value of $2 billion.

The last major drug bust was in June 2004, when $1 billion worth of ice and chemicals used to manufacture it were seized in a laboratory at the Laucala Beach industrial area in Suva.

Meth has long been a domesticated drug, until most recently with nation-wide awareness programmes and advocacy.

A meth user in his fifties, who preferred the name U.D, says in the 90s and 2000s, a tiny amount of meth bought off the street may have cost $250. Today; sex workers often inject meth for as cheap as $5, cheaper than a roll of marijuana.

In almost every street corner of Fiji's cities, towns and residential areas, meth is available - a common knowledge among neighbouring Fijians, but often quick to turn a blind eye because of fear and close relationships.

Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Operations, Livai Driu said Police had seen more people being involved in 'white drugs', such as meth and cocaine.

Since 2021, the number of illicit drug cases registered overall has risen substantially; with more meth cases registered within the first four months of 2024 than in the previous five years.

"It's quite a challenge for us," Mr Driu said in an interview last month.

The use of meth is no longer concentrated in the urban and sub-urban areas of Viti Levu. The outer islands, especially the Lau Groups, are confronted with the problem, a battle the Government says we are losing.

Meth users we spoke to were marijuana addicts from low-income families. Their addiction began at a young age and worsened as they associated themselves with other drug users. The users shared common harmful effects of their addiction to meth such as weight loss and sleep deprivation.

A mother of four, who preferred to be called Vabauta, started using drugs from an early age. She pointed to peer influence as the reason for her drug addiction.

She's taken 'white drugs', marijuana, and glue among other substances. She said she stopped using meth after it drove her to consider harming other people and to isolate herself. Meth use, she said, even kept her awake for 14 consecutive days at one point. Similar harmful effects were experienced by Michael, a sex worker in his early thirties, who started using marijuana at 17.

It wasn't until three years ago that he began taking meth. "It was very unhealthy for me. I hadn't slept in one and half weeks," Michael said. U.D said drinking with his friends lured him to use meth, having an immediate negative effect on his behaviour and health.

Drug awareness advocate Sesenieli Naitala, also known as Bui.

She said Fiji is facing a meth "cri-sis", especially given the surge of meth-related crimes from earlier this year.

Bui believes her advocacy work is, however, making a difference. She said this, together with the Police-led drug raids and arrests, is driving the conversation on meth forward.

"People are getting involved -schools, youth, families, the whole nation.

"People are talking about drugs wherever they go."

This is the first part of a five part series on the increasing methamphetamine problem in Fiji. As we progress, we will determine whether this illicit drug is cooked locally and why it is prevalent in the outer islands.

This project is supported by Trans-parent Pacific, lnternews.

Feedback: ivamere.nataro@fijisun.com.fj