No rehab centre for drug addicts

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Picture: FILE.

FIJI does not have a rehabilitation centre for drug addicts.

This was revealed by the officer in charge at the Criminal Investigations Department’s (CID) Drug Unit, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Anare Masitabua, who said St Giles Hospital was the only place where drug addicts were kept.

“We actually take them and leave them at the St Giles Hospital and advise those in that hospital about the situation and they will be kept for that period of time,” he said.

“Fiji is too small, they do not have the money to do that (rehab drug addicts) and we do not have a place to rehab these people.”

ASP Masitabua said these drug addicts were closely monitored by police.

He said police were now encountering in Fiji one of the seven stages of methamphetamine experiences which was “withdrawal”.

ASP Masitabua said this was one of the most dangerous experiences one would ever get.

“When people are at this stage, it gets worse, people often stare a lot, they keep on wanting to go to the bathroom and they will keep on making excuses to get something.”

He said since methamphetamine withdrawal was extremely painful and diffi cult, most abusers revert, thus, 93 per cent of those in traditional treatment 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.

“For those who smoke methamphetamine, they can smoke three packets of 20 cigarettes in just one day.”

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