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The escalating methamphetamine crisis in Fiji’s capital Suva has been blamed on the erosion of family values, with residents growing increasingly concerned about the destructive effects of the drug, known locally as “ice”. Prime Minister Sitiweni Rabuka recently urged residents to stay away from drugs after a disturbing video went viral, which reportedly showed a young woman begging for drugs.
The meth crisis has taken a turn with reports of users engaging in a dangerous practice called “bluetooth,” where blood is drawn from a user and injected into another person to share the high. This method carries serious health risks, including the spread of blood-borne diseases.
Navitalai Tamanitoakula, a resident of Nausori who has visited Suva, confirmed that the drug situation is getting worse. “You can see it in the town, especially among the young people,” he said. “When you look at their faces, you can tell they are high. They often hide in corners, sniffing glue and asking for money.”
Tamanitoakula believes that the loss of family values is a major factor in the crisis. “The problem lies in the family. Children should stay at home and their parents should discipline them. Now, children can talk back and even scold their parents.”
Pauline Doris agrees, stressing the role of parents in preventing drug use. “Parents have a responsibility to look after their children and make sure they don’t get involved in these things. It’s definitely getting worse but the government hasn’t done enough to address the problem,” she said.
The meth crisis not only affects individuals, it also damages Fiji’s international image. Tourism is a vital part of Fiji’s economy, with more than 920,000 tourists last year, mainly from Australia and New Zealand. However, the growing drug problem has cast a shadow on the country’s reputation.
Another Suva resident, Mesake Tapua, is concerned about the impact of drugs on young people. “Fiji should take the lead in preventing the drug problem from spreading to smaller island nations. We are worried about the young people because drugs will ruin their minds while they should be in school.”
The government is aware of the severity of the crisis. Home Affairs Minister Pio Tikoduadua said poverty was the main driver of the drug problem and a senior Lautoka police officer was under investigation for suspected possession of illegal drugs.
Kalesi Woratabu, founder of Drug Free World Fiji, stressed that the drug problem has permeated Fiji’s urban and rural areas. She warned people against dangerous myths surrounding practices such as Bluetooth, saying: “People glamorize it, but it doesn’t work and it puts lives at risk.”
As the crisis deepens, calls for stronger family ties and greater government intervention grow louder, with many fearing the long-term impact this will have on Fiji’s youth and society as a whole.
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