A survey commissioned by the Australian National Council on Drugs found there has been a dramatic increase in alcohol-related violence and other drug problems in Pacific countries.
The report, compiled by the Burnet Institute, names five countries — Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Fiji, the Marshall Islands and Vanuatu — where alcohol has been blamed for increases in domestic violence. Some countries, including Tonga and the Cook Islands, reported increases in illicit drug availability, including cannabis.
Many women in Papua New Guinea reported that alcohol was a major cause of marital problems, with a significant proportion saying they had been assaulted by their drunk spouse.
