The Consequences of Drug Abuse in the Solomon Islands

By Harold Maesulia. Follow me on twitter.

Betel nut is widely chewed around the Solomon Islands. Picture: google.com

This is an essay I've written as an assignment for one of my uni courses.

Drug abuse is a worldwide problem. Pacific islanders are now exposed to many different forms of drugs and their popularity among the people continues to create problems. Solomon Islands is not immune to the problems that come with the abuse of drugs. Drugs that can be smoked, drunk and chewed continue to have a place in many people’s lives. This essay will examine some of the consequences of drug abuse through social problems, burden to the government and a dull future for the drug abusers.

 The abuse of drugs in Solomon Islands has caused many social problems. In the communities, it continues to bring disharmony to many families. Many women become victims to drunken husbands who turned violent after consuming alcohol.  As revealed by Buchanan (2012), a Temotu man had to be imprisoned for heavily assaulting his wife and son when he was drunk. In some homes, parents are troubled with the task of controlling their children. (Island Sun, 2011) comments on the worry of seeing a lot of  school age kids lazing around in public places during school hours, consuming alcohol. These kids disregard their parents’ good counsel, and step school during school hours to indulge themselves in drug-related activities (Island Sun, 2011). These stories demonstrate the damage that drug abuse is inflicting on many local families.

On a much bigger scale, the abuse of drugs continues to nurture the growth of crime. The consequences can even be felt in the more peaceful areas of the country. Palmer (2010) writes about a killing in the Western Province that clearly shows this. The diseased is a Rendova man. He was bashed to death during a drinking party in Munda. An issue which is supposed to be solely dealt with by police ended up in the hands of angry relatives who retaliated by ransacking properties. Solomon Star (2010) documents another assault to a man by two drunken males at Kukum, in Honiara. And the news does not please the Assistant Police Commissioner who fears that things can “lead to more serious offences such as robbery, assaults or even murder.” And murder is a familiar crime on the streets of Honiara. Recently, Solomon Star (2012) reports the killing of a local diplomat by a group of Beligas (a local drug-driven gang in Honiara). He was stopped and knifed in the centre of the city, sparking fear among the city dwellers. Drug abuse is certainly turning people away from right. Solomon Islanders who are driven by its detrimental powers continue to inflict fear among their fellow citizens

Furthermore, drug abuse also burdens the government. The emergence of problems associated with drug abuse is becoming costly for the state.  The limited available resources are strained just to ensure that law and order is maintained. (SIBC Online, 2012) reveals a “Weekend Zero Tolerance” operation mounted by Police to combat the illegal sale of alcohol and the local homebrew, “Kwaso”. With the current economic hardships (Mamu, 2012), it will be a daunting task to provide care for those who are mentally challenged from smoking the “harmful cannabis chemical in the marijuana plant” (SIBC Online, 2011). According to health authorities (Solomon Star, 2012), they are under resourced to keep the health services at the National Referral Hospital afloat. The government will have to search for more money to cover the extra cost of caring for these patients. These revelations clearly show the burden that drug abuse continues to add to the shoulder of the government.

Another load that the government is dreading is the negative image that the abuse of drugs paints of Solomon Islands as a tourist destination. Instead of looking at the beautiful beaches Solomon Islands can offer, potential tourists will be shun away by the negative publicity about drug-driven crimes. A travel advice for Solomon Islands recently warned travelers to the islands to avoid certain places in the capital city, stating that “there is a potential for trouble owing to both civil unrest and drunken behaviour” (British Foreign & Commonwealth office, 2012). This is a living proof of how drug abuse can cost a country the economic benefits it supposes to receive.

Another consequence of drug abuse is a dull future for the abusers. The health of those who take drugs is becoming a concern. Lumukana, R. and King,T (2003) confirm that betel nut chewing causes oral cancer and is killing many in the Solomon Islands. (Griffiths 2004, p. 247) comments that alcohol is associated with one of the areas of risk taking that kills disproportionately more young men than women in road traffic accidents.  He further states that the commonest causes of death among men who smoke are heart disease and lung cancer. A recent survey (Solomon Star, 2012) reveals that Solomon Islands have “one of the highest youth smoking rates in the world.” With the many drug related problems, it is fitting to suggest that the future of many of these Solomon Islanders is not bright.

Many youths who are hooked on drugs loss the interest to go to school. They find pleasure in hanging out with their peers. Basi (2008) comments that they often take out their uniforms and indulge in smoking during the time they are supposed to be in school. If students continue to behave in such a manner, they will not thrive in their education.

This essay has examined some of the consequences of drug abuse through social problems, burden to the government and a dull future for the drug abusers. The discovery that drug abuse can lead to a lot of trouble within a society implies that it is truly an issue which must not be overlooked. Appropriate measures must be taken now by the responsible authorities to help lower the rate of drug abuse. If we do not act now, the problems will continue to haunt us.