Drug Abuse in the Global Village
Drug Abuse in Asia
Pacific Region

EXTENT OF DRUG ABUSE

AUSTRALIA
Cannabis is the most prevalent drug abused in Australia. Annual abuse is about 13 per cent in the adult population according to a 1991 survey. Abuse is more prevalent among men (17 per cent), especially young men aged 14-24, compared to 9 per cent among women and 20 per cent among young women 14-24 years of age. Amphetamines are the next most preva­lent drug abused in Australia. Annual abuse is estimated at 3 per cent according to a 1991 sur­vey. It is higher among men (4 per cent), especially among young men (11 per cent for the 14-24 age group) compared to women (2 per cent) and young women 14-24 years of age (6 per cent). Hallucinogens are nearly as prevalent as amphetamines in Australia. Annual abuse is estimated at 2 per cent according to a 1991 survey. Annual abuse is more prevalent among men (3 per cent) and young men (9 per cent for the 14-24 age group), compared to 1 per cent among women and 3 per cent among young women 14-24 years of age (table 1). Other drugs of concern are barbiturates (annual prevalence 2 per cent), cocaine and crack (1 per cent), inhalants (1 per cent), heroin (1 per cent), ecstasy/designer drugs (1 per cent) and injected illicit drugs (1 per cent) (see table 1) (NCADA 1991).

FIJI
Cannabis is reported as the main illicit drug abused in Fiji (HONLEA 1993). The estimated annual prevalence of cannabis is reported to be 300 and the estimated number of daily abusers 100 (U.N. 1989). The abuse of alcohol is reported to be a greater problem than that of illicit drugs (Fiji 1993). Inhalants are also reported abused with an estimated 100 annual abusers and 50 daily abusers (U.N. 1989).

In 1991, 6 per cent of the total prisoners were reported to be drug abusers (CMO 1991).

FRENCH POLYNESIA
Cannabis, hallucinogens (hallucinogenic mushrooms, LSD), volatile solvents (trichlorethylene, white spirit), cocaine and other opiates are drugs reported abused in French Polynesia (U.N. 1990). The estimated annual prevalence range from 10,000 to 20,000 for cannabis, 500 to 1,000 for hallucinogens and volatile solvents, and 50 to 500 for cocaine. Daily abusers of drugs are estimated at 2,000 to 5,000 for cannabis, 100 to 200 for hallucinogens, 50 to 500 for cocaine and 5 to 20 for other opiates.

A survey on drug abuse among school children aged between 12 and 20 years old on the island of Tahiti is reported to have been conducted in 1988, but the results of the study have not been reported (U.N. 1988). In 1990, no national survey on the extent of drug abuse in French Polynesia had been carried out (U.N. 1990).

NAURU
It is reported that Nauru does not have any drug abuse problem (U.N. 1991).

NEW CALEDONIA
Drugs reported abused are cannabis, opiates and volatile solvents. An estimated 2,500 annual and 150 daily abusers of cannabis, 300 annual and 200 daily abusers of volatile solvents, and 3 annual and 1 daily abusers of opiates were reported for 1986 (U.N. 1986).

No epidemiological surveys on the extent of drug abuse in New Caledonia have been conducted. A register of the number of people receiving treatment for drug abuse is kept by the "Centre Hospitalier Spיcialisי, Albert Bousquet" in Nouville (U.N. 1990).

NEW ZEALAND
Cannabis (in marijuana form) is the most abused drug in New Zealand followed by hallucinogens (mainly LSD) and stimulants. A sample survey indicated that about 12 per cent of the people aged 15-45 were marijuana abusers (New Zealand 1990).

Annual prevalence of abuse is estimated at 410,000 to 530,000. Upto 80 per cent of the prison population are reported as drug abusers. New Zealand does not maintain a drug abuse registry (U.N. 1992).

PAPUA NEW GUINEA
Cannabis is the most abused illicit drug in Papua New Guinea with an estimated 600,000 to 800,000 annual and 100,000 daily abusers (U.N. 1992). The type of cannabis abused in Papua New Guinea is reported to be of very high potency (25-30 per cent THC content) and known as "New Guinea Gold" (HONLEA 1993).

Cocaine (200-400 annual abusers, 20-50 daily abusers) and datura metel (angel trumpet) are also reported abused (U.N. 1992). Heroin is reported not abused in Papua New Guinea (CMO 1990).

SOLOMON ISLANDS
Solomon Islands does not have any significant drug abuse problem. It is suspected that cannabis is cultivated or imported for personal use (Solomon 1993).

TONGA
Cannabis type drugs are reported abused in Tonga. Annual prevalence of abuse is not available (U.N. 1990).

WESTERN SAMOA
The severity of drug abuse problem in Western Samoa is comparatively small. Cannabis along volatile solvents are the most abused drugs in Western Samoa. Preparations of 'ava roots (piper methysticum) are used traditionally for social interactions and ceremonies (Samoa 1993).

Estimates on prevalence of drug abuse are not available. There are no registered drug abusers in Western Samoa (U.N. 1986).