Meth addiction, HIV and a struggling health system create a perfect storm in Fiji

(MENAFN- The Conversation) Like many Pacific nations that rely on tourism, Fiji struggled during the height of the pandemic. But as tourism recovers, another crisis threatens the island nation’s stability – one fueled by rising methamphetamine addiction.

Fueled by foreign drug cartels using Fiji as a staging post for operations in New Zealand and Australia, the drug has also spread to local communities, fueling a surge in HIV infections and placing additional burdens 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” (using drugs to enhance sexual experiences), and a practice known as “bluetoothing” – taking blood after a drug hit and injecting it into a second person – have all been linked to declining health indicators.

With children as young as nine being treated for addiction, and crime statistics and reported HIV/AIDS cases soaring, police have called for a state of emergency to address the interrelated problems. But the police themselves have been accused of corruption in connection with the meth trade.

Drugs, health and crime

HIV cases are expected to double this year, with young people and marginalized communities disproportionately affected.

The intersection of meth use and HIV is particularly troubling. Methamphetamine weakens the immune system, making users more susceptible to infection. The stigma and discrimination associated with both meth use and HIV exacerbate the problem and make many reluctant to seek help or get tested.

The twin crises are compounded by the dire state of Fiji’s health facilities after years of neglect. Hospitals and clinics are underfunded, lack modern equipment and are understaffed due to an exodus of health workers.

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

The health infrastructure is inadequate in the areas of drug rehabilitation, psychiatric care and the control of non-communicable diseases which are estimated to cause 80% of premature deaths in Fiji.

A national crisis

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

Meth use increases crime, addiction and the risk of HIV transmission, particularly among young people. This in turn places more strain on an already struggling health care system, as well as on police and legal 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.

There are plans to develop such strategies with government, civil society and regional and international partners, with the involvement of the United Nations AIDS Programme, UNAIDS.

And in April this year, a Pacific Regional Transnational Crime Disruption Strategy was launched. Interpol’s Project Blue Pacific is supported by the Australian Federal Police, New Zealand Police and the UK National Crime Agency. New Zealand also helped fund the establishment in July of a Fijian Counter Narcotics Bureau.

No quick or easy fix

But while such partnerships are essential in combating the supply of methamphetamine and other drugs, they fall short in connecting the dots between transnational drug crime and the domestic problems it creates.

New Zealand has pledged to provide ongoing financial support for improvements in health infrastructure. Fiji’s government’s budget priorities will also need to include upgrading medical facilities and equipment, and expanding training for health professionals.

Developing and implementing comprehensive prevention and treatment programs for meth addiction and HIV are also critical. These should include broad educational campaigns, harm reduction strategies (such as needle exchange programs), and accessible testing and treatment services.

Empowering local communities to participate will lead to more sustainable and culturally appropriate solutions. Reducing stigma and discrimination around meth use and HIV will be crucial.

Finally, working with regional and global health organizations will provide much-needed technical and financial support. Other Pacific nations will look to Fiji to lead the way in preventing the crisis from spreading.

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