Alcoholic Beverage and Personal Communication
PACIFIC HEALTH DIALOG MARCH 201 1,
VOL.
17, NO. 1
REVIEW
Drug and Alcohol Use in Fiji: A Review
Elenoa Seru Puamau1, Fiji School of Medicine, Graham Roberts1, Fiji School of Medicine, Private Bag, Suva, Fiji. Lucina Schmich2, Burnet Institute of Melbourne, Robert Power, Burnet Institute of Melbourne, Australia
Introduction
The use of a range of drug types, including alcohol, are part of the traditions of many, if not all, communities in Fiji. The Fijian and Indo-Fijian communities have long traditions of psycho-active drug use in the context of ritual and ceremony.1,2 It has been noted that seafarers, together with indentured labourers, brought cannabis or Indian hemp traditions to Fiji, with the sugar cane plantations providing fertile ground for cultivation.2,3 Meanwhile, kava was widely cultivated and consumed by ethnic Fijians. The Indo-Fijian community slowly adopted kava drinking rituals and gradually others began to increase their consumption. In addition, marijuana use emerged and spread with increasing popularity amongst youth, especially males.2-5 This literature review explores the current licit and illicit drug situation in Fiji. It considers peer-reviewed articles identified using Pub Med, Health Internet Work Access to Research Initiative (HINARI) searches and ‘grey’ literature, including published and unpublished reports, and web based resources (e.g. UNDOC, WHO). The review found that there is limited data available to assist in understanding the current situation and associated harms in Fiji, but notes more studies and reports have examined alcohol consumption patterns and associated social problems when compared with studies on illicit drug use.1, 5-15
Alcohol use in Fiji
According to the WHO Global Status Report on Alcohol, data from the 1993 National Nutrition Survey indicate that consumption of alcoholic home brew use is widespread in Fiji, as in other Pacific nations. These beverages usually contain up to three times the
VOL.
17, NO. 1
REVIEW
Drug and Alcohol Use in Fiji: A Review
Elenoa Seru Puamau1, Fiji School of Medicine, Graham Roberts1, Fiji School of Medicine, Private Bag, Suva, Fiji. Lucina Schmich2, Burnet Institute of Melbourne, Robert Power, Burnet Institute of Melbourne, Australia
Introduction
The use of a range of drug types, including alcohol, are part of the traditions of many, if not all, communities in Fiji. The Fijian and Indo-Fijian communities have long traditions of psycho-active drug use in the context of ritual and ceremony.1,2 It has been noted that seafarers, together with indentured labourers, brought cannabis or Indian hemp traditions to Fiji, with the sugar cane plantations providing fertile ground for cultivation.2,3 Meanwhile, kava was widely cultivated and consumed by ethnic Fijians. The Indo-Fijian community slowly adopted kava drinking rituals and gradually others began to increase their consumption. In addition, marijuana use emerged and spread with increasing popularity amongst youth, especially males.2-5 This literature review explores the current licit and illicit drug situation in Fiji. It considers peer-reviewed articles identified using Pub Med, Health Internet Work Access to Research Initiative (HINARI) searches and ‘grey’ literature, including published and unpublished reports, and web based resources (e.g. UNDOC, WHO). The review found that there is limited data available to assist in understanding the current situation and associated harms in Fiji, but notes more studies and reports have examined alcohol consumption patterns and associated social problems when compared with studies on illicit drug use.1, 5-15
Alcohol use in Fiji
According to the WHO Global Status Report on Alcohol, data from the 1993 National Nutrition Survey indicate that consumption of alcoholic home brew use is widespread in Fiji, as in other Pacific nations. These beverages usually contain up to three times the