The report on our front page today is a strong reminder of the urgent need for well-resourced rehabilitation centres in Fiji.
We have to wonder where in the world are we headed to when we read the numbers. It is shocking. Yet, for those working on the frontlines of the drug crisis, it is unfortunately no surprise. The age of intravenous drug users in Fiji is falling. Now we have children as young as 14 presenting at St Giles Hospital in Suva, according to Acting Chief Medical Officer Dr Afia Zahin.
Many of these young patients are also battling other health conditions. Imagine that. Teenagers struggling not only with addiction, but also with HIV, Hepatitis C and tuberculosis. It is a sad reflection of how much this crisis has taken root in our communities.
Dr Zahin revealed that the epidemic is also placing great strain on elderly parents and caregivers.
The good doctor spoke of ageing parents bringing in two unemployed sons addicted to drugs, with their social welfare allowances being used to support them instead of the other way around. In another heartbreaking case, a teenage girl repeatedly assaulted the grandmother who cared for her because she needed money to feed her addiction.
It makes sense then that hospital staff are overwhelmed. Dr Zahin explained that many patients now arrive with multiple, overlapping challenges, including mental illness, infectious diseases, financial hardship, family problems and other serious medical complications linked to drug use.
The hospital is also seeing an increase in referrals from the courts, with many offenders requiring psychiatric assessment after allegedly committing crimes while under the influence of drugs. We must acknowledge that we have a major challenge on our hands.
This isn’t one where we can bury our heads in the sand and hope everything just goes away. It is not going anywhere.
As the war on drugs intensifies, other battles continue alongside it. We are confronting rising HIV infections, increasing addiction rates and the many social and medical problems that accompany them. We cannot ignore the strong link between addiction and crime, from petty theft to organised drug trafficking.
That is why we again reiterate our call for the urgent setup of properly equipped rehabilitation centres across the country. This is now the fourth year we have advocated for them.
Law enforcement alone cannot solve this crisis. We must also provide a pathway to recovery for those willing to break free from addiction.
Rehabilitation offers hope, restores families, reduces crime and eases the burden on our healthcare system. As preparations begin for the next national Budget, we urge those entrusted with shaping our future to make rehabilitation a national priority. We need to save lives and strengthen communities. We need to invest in recovery today.
