Fighting the ‘ice’ challenge

ASSISTANT Commissioner of Police Crime, Mesake Waqa’s call to reject methamphetamine is crucial. However, this fight against ‘ice’ demands more than just pronouncements; it requires a multifaceted approach that addresses not only the dangers of the drug but also the root causes fueling its spread and the lack of support for those struggling in its grip.

Let’s face it, simply saying “no” is ineffective for individuals trapped in the cycle of addiction.

We must delve deeper, examining the socioeconomic factors that push people towards drugs.

Reports and statistics will note poverty, unemployment, lack of opportunity, and broken homes all contribute significantly. So ignoring these underlying issues renders our efforts incomplete. The absence of dedicated drug rehabilitation centres in Fiji is a systemic failure.

In 2019, the officer-in-charge at the Police Criminal Investigations Department’s (CID) Drug Unit at the time, Assistant Superintendent of Police Anare Masitabua, spoke out against ‘ice’.

ASP Masitabua’s words ring true – without proper treatment, withdrawal becomes an agonising ordeal, leading to high relapse rates.

ASP Masitabua spoke about how addicts were taken and left at the St Giles Hospital that year. It is as relevant now, because at the time, ASP Masitabua said methamphetamine was one of the most dangerous drugs we have in Fiji.

Since methamphetamine withdrawal was extremely painful and difficult, most abusers, he warned, got back into the habit. Thus, 93 per cent of those in traditional treatment, he said, returned to abusing methamphetamine.

“What is wrong with withdrawal is that it would go on to 30 to 90 days. We closely monitor these people for them not to go to any dealers,” he said at the time.

The best deterrent for methamphetamine, he suggested, was to have a drug free workplace.

Former Minister for Health and Medical Services Dr Ifereimi Waqainabete had also suggested the management of people who have ingested drugs was complex.

Doctors and nurses, he said, would need to do a lot of investigative work to come up with the diagnosis for a person who was a drug addict. Fiji isn’t alone in this fight. We can learn from successful international models that prioritize harm reduction and evidence-based interventions. Consider Portugal’s decriminalization approach, coupled with robust social support systems, which has reduced addiction rates.

The recent drug busts in Nadi have effectively placed us on a very dangerous platform. It is reflective of how poor we have handled the drug challenge over the years. This certainly did not just pop up out of the woodworks. It has taken years for the illicit trade to grow in Nadi and in other parts of the country.

It raises many questions about the effectiveness of law enforcement bodies over the years.

In saying that, we accept that the police play a vital role in curbing drug trafficking, but they can’t do it alone. We need community engagement. We need to foster an environment where reporting suspicious activity is encouraged, and individuals struggling with addiction are met with compassion and support.

To that effect, early intervention is key. Educational campaigns targeting youths should not just demonize drugs but also equip them with life skills to make healthy choices and navigate peer pressure. Mental health awareness and support services are equally important, addressing underlying issues that might make individuals more susceptible to addiction. This fight requires synergy between law enforcement, social services, healthcare professionals, community leaders, and individuals in recovery. A coordinated national strategy, backed by adequate funding, is essential.

The longer we wait, the deeper the crisis becomes. We must act now, prioritizing prevention, treatment, and harm reduction. Ignoring this issue will only allow it to consume more lives. Let’s unite and be the generation that breaks the cycle and offers hope to those struggling in the darkness of drug addiction.