Substantial increase in drug abuse in Fiji - Masitabua

Police have seen a substantial increase in drug abuse in the country with cases also increasing in schools and a confirmed report of methamphetamine found at a school.

While speaking during the Leadership Fiji Virtual National Dialogue on Substance Abuse, Assistant Superintendent, Officer-In-Charge of Drug Intelligence, Anare Masitabua said information continues to be received about the increase in methamphetamine on our streets.

Masitabua says Police recorded 1,275 cases last year.

He says the total amount of substances found was 1,926 compared to 1,440 in 2018.

Masitabua also says they have seen cases where some substances tested negative. He says this does not state that the chemicals do not make people high but the machines the Police have in their labs cannot recognize the substances.

These are new psychotropic substances where people are mixing chemicals using sedatives, stimulants and other chemicals.

Masitabua says people are mixing everything with anything, and they have detected things like mosquito spray and rat poison mixed with other substances.

He says they are also working with NGOs and the REACH program on drug awareness funded by the UNDP.

The Leadership Fiji virtual dialogue looked at The Laucala Document after the 1st National Dialogue last year and Chairman, William Parkinson says the reviewed action plan will be confirmed within the next few weeks.