Pacific faces growing alcohol problem

Angela Lavoipierre

Last Updated: Thu, 18 Mar 2010 15:50:00 +1100

New research has highlighted a growing alcohol problem in Pacific nations, in what is being hailed as the first clear snapshot of drug and alcohol abuse in the region.

The research shows alcohol is the major concern across the board, followed by cannabis.

The report, commissioned by the Australian National Council on Drugs, looks at substance use in 16 Pacific countries, including Samoa, Fiji and Papua New Guinea.

The council's executive director, Gino Vumbaca, says until now there has been no clear indication of the effects of substance abuse there.

"There are gaps still and some significant gaps in some countries on data, but at least we're starting to get a much clearer picture on the harms that are being caused, by alcohol in particular," he said.

He says the Pacific countries are often forgotten in regional strategies, and this issue has been no exception.

The council is calling for Australia and New Zealand to commit to helping monitor and fix the situation.

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