Meth, HIV and drug gangs – a perfect storm in Fiji

Like many other Pacific nations that rely on tourism, Fiji has had a tough time during the pandemic years. But while tourism is recovering, another crisis is threatening the island nation's stability – one fueled by rising methamphetamine addiction.

Fuelled by foreign drug cartels that use Fiji as a base for their operations in New Zealand and Australia, the drug has also spread into local communities, leading to a rise in HIV infections and putting additional strain on overstretched health and justice sectors.

Methamphetamine (meth), known locally as “ice,” is highly addictive, widely available and increasingly associated with risky behavior. Needle sharing, “chemsex” (taking drugs to enhance sexual pleasure) and a practice called “bluetoothing” – taking blood after a drug hit and injecting it into a second person – have all been linked to worsening health indicators.

With children as young as nine being treated for addiction and crime statistics and the number of reported HIV and AIDS cases rising dramatically, the police have declared a state of emergency to address the related problems. But the police themselves are accused of corruption in connection with the meth trade.

Drugs, health and crime

The number of HIV cases is expected to double this year, with young people and marginalized groups particularly affected.

The link between meth use and HIV is particularly worrying. Methamphetamine weakens the immune system and makes users more susceptible to infections. The problem is exacerbated by the fact that meth use and HIV prevent many people from seeking help or getting tested because of the stigma and discrimination associated with it.

The two crises are exacerbated by the fact that Fiji's health facilities are in a dire state after years of neglect. Hospitals and clinics are underfunded, lack modern equipment and are understaffed due to the exodus of medical personnel.

These deficits have serious implications for patient care and limit the health system's ability to respond to increasing demand for a complex range of services.

There is a particular lack of health infrastructure for drug rehabilitation, psychiatric care and the treatment of non-communicable diseases, which are estimated to be responsible for 80% of premature deaths in Fiji.

A national crisis

The interplay between methamphetamine use, HIV and poorly equipped health facilities creates a vicious cycle that perpetuates and exacerbates each problem.

Meth use increases crime, addiction and the risk of HIV transmission, especially among young people, which in turn places further strain on already strained health care systems, police and justice resources.

Overall, the situation is leading to a further decline in Fiji's national development outcomes. Addressing these multiple threats requires a holistic and coordinated response.

With the involvement of the United Nations AIDS programme, UNAIDS, it is planned to develop such strategies together with governments, civil society and regional and international partners.

And in April this year, a regional strategy to combat transnational crime in the Pacific was launched. Interpol's Blue Pacific project is supported by the Australian Federal Police, New Zealand Police and the UK's National Crime Agency. New Zealand also helped fund the establishment of a Fijian drug enforcement office in July.

No quick or easy solution

But while such partnerships are critical to combating the supply of meth and other drugs, they fail to link cross-border drug crime to the domestic problems it causes.

New Zealand has pledged to continue to provide financial support for improving health infrastructure. The Fijian government's budget priorities must also include upgrading medical facilities and equipment and expanding training for health professionals.

Equally important is the development and implementation of comprehensive prevention and treatment programs for meth addiction and HIV. These should include comprehensive education campaigns, harm reduction strategies (such as needle exchange programs), and accessible testing and treatment services.

Enabling local communities to participate will help find more sustainable and culturally appropriate solutions. Reducing the stigma and discrimination associated with meth use and HIV will be critical.

Finally, collaboration with regional and global health organizations will provide much-needed technical and financial support. Other Pacific states will look to Fiji to take a leadership role and prevent the crisis from spreading.

Apisalome Movono is a volunteer research fellow at Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa – Massey University.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.