Fiji recorded a significant increase in methamphetamine busts — from two cases in 2013 to 113 cases in 2018.
Defence Minister Inia Seruiratu made the revelation during a United Nations International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking event at Lautoka’s Tanoa Waterfront Hotel yesterday.
He said in 2013, a Fijian deportee from the United States died from severe burns in Nakasi after an improvised lab exploded.
He said Fiji was now wrestling with the effects of drugs such as methamphetamine and the trend.
“Methamphetamine is classified under psychotropic substances which categorically affects mental behaviour and extreme makeover of physical appearance,” he said.
Mr Seruiratu said doctors had difficulties in determining users symptoms because the effects caused by methamphetamine overdose were wide ranging — from convulsions, psychosis, seizures, vomiting, chest pains and even death.
“What makes methamphetamine more dangerous is the fact that the precursors used to manufacture methamphetamine are easily accessible in pharmaceutical outlets and household chemicals retailed in hardware and chemical companies.”
He said adding to the problem was the easy access to manufacturing recipes.
He told about 50 participants at the forum that increased globalisation and trade liberalisation had provided a conduit for the increase of illegal drug activities across the world.
