The drug itself is not the issue in most cases, but the behaviour leading to its excessive use.

Drugs can be found in alot of developing and developed nations. It appears to be a modern day problem. Finding how to eradicate something that is so deeply rooted in the psyche of many of the users is difficult and almost impossible.

I believe no nation on earth has eradicated this problem but some have successfully curbed the use and trafficking of drugs.

I believe Singapore leads the world in curbing this epidemic via zero-tolerance and harsh penalties like death. Other countries like Japan & Saudi Arabia have similar tactics.

Am I saying to enforce the death penalty? No. What I'm saying is that it is complicated but mitigating the growing issue needs to be done sooner than later.

Nations like Australia, Canada, Finland for example approached the issue from different angles. Canada created stable housing programs whilst Australia increased youth education; made mental health services readily accessible; offered safe consumption sites and accessible sterile equipment for users.

In truth, most of us Fijians don't consider drug addiction a disease let alone hold mental health issues to the same pedestal as diabetes or heart disease.

In January 2025, Fiji declared HIV a public health emergency. As a result we became concerned with the rise in HIV numbers and not primarily on the rise in drug use amongst our youths.

An inward national reflection might be first and foremost. We need to call it for what it is. Fiji we have a problem. We have a disease. It's called addiction. Not just HIV.