rp21 situational analysis - Pacific Health Voices

Situational analysis of drug and alcohol issues and responses in the Pacific
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finished crystal methamphetamine, 700 litres
of liquid methamphetamine and enough
precursor chemicals to produce a further
1000 kilograms. 286
While there have been relatively recent seizures
of equipment compatible with diversion
of illegal amphetamine manufacturing, 287
the regulatory affairs pharmacist in Fiji
suggested there is no known diversion of
pseudoephedrine. 288 There are regulations
requiring over-the-counter sales to be registered
in addition to an informally operating
network of pharmacists sharing suspicious
behaviours. The purchase limit is one packet
per person. It has also been suggested that
stimulant use is uncommon, but that illegal
exports of pseudoephedrine by organised
syndicates is becoming an issue. 289
4.4 Licit drug trends
The NSAAC is mandated to research current
alcohol trends in Fiji, but faces budget constraints
which have thus far prevented such
an investment. 290 This situation is further
exacerbated by a recent request to reduce
spending by up to 50 per cent. 291 No data
on adult substance use are currently collected,
but schools report on student use.
Overwhelmingly, alcohol is the main drug of
concern, particularly with reference to binge
drinking, 292 followed by kava and tobacco. In
addition, inhalant use among children and
youth is reported as a major concern.
Alcohol
No population-based surveys on alcohol
consumption have been undertaken since a
1999 survey reported on Noumea in 2004,
with many of the available estimates for alcohol
consumption based on data collected
during the mid- to late-1990s. 293 The report
noted early initiation to drinking (one-third
of female and half of male drinkers at age 10
or younger), and high rates of binge drinking
286 Drug Enforcement Administration (2004), Drug Intelligence Brief: The Pacific Islands Region
(DEA– 04012). Available at:
(accessed October 2008).
287 £30m worth of amphetamines seized in record Fiji drug bust, The Guardian (UK), 10 June
2004, available at: (accessed
May 2009); compare UNODC (2007), World Drug Report 2006, Vol. 2: Statistics, available at:
(accessed October 2008).
288 Personal communication, December 2008.
289 Ibid.
290 Key informant interview, 2009.
291 Key informant interview, 2009.
292 Fiji country profile, The Globe (Global Alcohol Policy Alliance), Pacific Issue no.1, 2005.
293 WHO (2004), Global Status Report on Alcohol 2004. Geneva: WHO. Available at:
(accessed December 2008); Fiji Country Profile, available at: (accessed December 2008).