rp21 situational analysis - Pacific Health Voices

Situational analysis of drug and alcohol issues and responses in the Pacific
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Finally, the media continue to report on the
dangers of increasing cannabis consumption,
identifying links between drugs, guns, money
laundering and violence. The 2004–05 situational
analysis notes the tendency toward
the increasing commercialisation of cannabis
cultivation in the region. There have not
been any significant reports of this in the
ensuing period, but Vanuatu is an example
where villagers are growing crops to supplement
income. In addition, media in Fiji
regularly report cannabis sales in the local
fruit, vegetable and fish markets, each suggesting
a less ‘organised’ marketplace.
1.5 Licit drug trends
Problematic alcohol consumption patterns
have been noted for over a decade in the
Pacific. It is accepted that Europeans introduced
alcohol and brewing technologies
to the PICTs. Furthermore, it is specifically
noted that Pacific Islanders had not developed
indigenous brews until the arrival of
Europeans. Harmful alcohol consumption
patterns have a relatively short history in
the Pacific. Thus, there is a greater risk, in
the absence of well-formed cultural ‘norms
or prohibitions’, in terms of consumption.
Finally, there is increasing pressure on already
stretched public health services and infrastructure
to respond to emerging drug and
alcohol use issues.
Alcohol
The World Health Organization periodically
reports on alcohol consumption patterns in
the region. Global burden of disease analyses
note the greater impact on men, with volume
and pattern of consumption as the predictors
for the burden. The burden is influenced by
social context, injury, biochemical effects,
intoxication, dependence, and acute and
chronic outcomes. Particularly relevant for
the Pacific is the established link between
economic development and drinking patterns.
70 Reportedly, drinking to the point of
intoxication is more prevalent in economies
outside the developed market economy style.
Both licit and illicit alcohol are consumed
across the Pacific, but for the purpose of
this analysis each will be considered in the
licit drug trends section. In addition, both
beverage and non-beverage alcohol 71 consumption
have been reported in the region.
Reports of drinking methylated spirits and
occasional consumption of pure methanol
have been past public health problems in
70 J. Rehm, R. Room, M. Monteiro et al. (2004), Alcohol use. In M. Ezzati et al. (eds) (2004),
Comparative Quantification of Health Risks: global and regional burden of disease attributable to
selected major risk factors. Vol.1. Geneva: WHO.
71 Refers to ethanol and other derivative alcohol products not produced specifically for human
consumption; this may still represent a major concern in Papua New Guinea.