WOMEN’S crisis centres are reporting an increase in domestic violence cases linked to the use of the illicit drug methamphetamine.
Revealing this, Tarita Holm, the executive director of Palau Association of NGOs, said the Oceania Customs Organisation reported that there were increasing border detections and widespread prevalence of street-level possession and distribution of methamphetamine, presenting the highest risk to the Pacific community for drug-related and associated harm.
“These emerging intersecting forms of violence are being exacerbated by contributing factors such as the increase in the accessibility and use of illicit drugs, particularly methamphetamine or ‘ice’ as it’s commonly referred to in the Pacific,” she told the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting while speaking on behalf of Pacific NGOs.
“The transiting of these hard drugs from countries outside of our region draws an ominous dimension into the vulnerability of our Pacific island nations whereby drugs are increasingly being sold and distributed, leaving increased levels of addiction and violence in many of our island States.”
Ms Holm said these new forms of security threats had reached a crisis point for women and girls, and the failure to take action now would lead to grave consequences in the future. These issues, she said, required urgent action and special commitment by Pacific leaders.
“As a way to promote regional security and gender justice for our women, girls and children, we CSOs call for forum leaders to appoint a forum eminent persons group to report and to monitor regional, collective actions aimed at minimising these intersecting human security threats that are exacerbated by the climate crisis, illicit drugs, cyber violence and violence against women, girls and children.
“We also ask that this group report to leaders annually on this issue.
“We call that this eminent persons group to promote inclusivity in its arrangements and conduct, and that civil society and women’s organisations be part of this group.
“We call on forum leaders to have a co-ordinated response in strengthening national policy on border and Customs control, and to provide dedicated expertise and resources for drug rehabilitation.”
