Increase in meth cases in schools with 4 last year and 3 already in Term 1 this year

There is an increase of methamphetamine in schools with four cases last year and 3 cases already in Term 1 this year.

This was revealed by Assistant Minister for Education Iliesa Vanawalu while opening the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking at Suva Grammar School.

Vanawalu says according to the data provided, 8000 people were referred to St Giles Hospital in 2023 due to mental health related issues.

He says recently, students were found to be using and abusing drugs in schools from tobacco, alcohol, marijuana while methamphetamine is now infiltrating schools.

Vanawalu says that the Substance Abuse Advisory Council reported 2900 cases of other drugs in schools in 2022 and 3700 cases in 2023.

The Assistant Minister says in all cases the Substance Abuse Advisory Council provided intervention through counseling and mentoring hence the risks are minimized.

Vanawalu says Police are arresting drug dealers and users nearly every day on either green or white drugs where marijuana related cases in 2022 was 1193 and increased to 1483 cases in 2023.

He says methamphetamine, cocaine and heroin cases have increased to 1615 in 2023 from 1236 in 2022.

According to reports, drugs is a contributing factor in violence and criminal activities.

Reports from police and media indicated that people who committed crime are at times under the influence of drugs.

Research has proven that people who use or abuse drugs and illicit substances suffer from chronic health problems which affects lungs, heart, liver, kidney and the brain.

He says the Ministry of Health also highlighted the relationship of Drugs and HIV adding in 2022 there were 275 HIV cases reported and in 2023 the cases increased to 415.

Vanawalu says this alarming increase was suspected due to the use of bluetoothing where 4 to 5 people were sharing one needle and the chances of infecting others with HIV is higher.