In the heart of a tropical paradise, a stark contrast between two crises unfolds: the methamphetamine epidemic and the HIV outbreak. Suva, Fiji, serves as the backdrop for this harrowing tale.
The methamphetamine trade operates with a predictable rhythm. Once weekly, a black Dodge truck with tinted windows arrives at a secluded tent on the island's outskirts. Here, a clandestine exchange takes place. A man emerges, conducts a drug-for-cash transaction with a local contact, and departs. The dealer then repackages the white crystals into minuscule zip-top bags, each no larger than a child's pinkie, before selling them for approximately $22 each.
This routine highlights the intricate network of drug distribution, where dealers exploit vulnerable communities, exacerbating social issues and health crises.
