The constraints included in the budget are revealed to prevent the National Substance Abuse Advisory Council (NSAAC) from researching alcohol trends in Fiji, which is actually a part of a study initiated by the Australian National Council on Drugs (ANCD).

As per the report by the Australian National Council on Drugs (ANCD), Fiji is a cannabis-producing country, with many other PICTs reporting Fiji as the source of their locally consumed cannabis.

The ANCD believe that the situation was further worsened because of recently made request to cut spending by up to 50 per cent.

In addition, the study uncovered that no data on adult substance use were currently accumulated, however, schools report on student use.

"Alcohol is the main drug of concern, particularly with reference to binge drinking followed by kava and tobacco", the study posted.

Moreover, the report revealed that nearly 33% female and 50% male at age 10 or younger get into the early habit of drinking. Also, there are high rates of binge drinking among drinkers (69 per cent of male and 54 per cent of female drinkers) with 26 per cent of males and 6 per cent of females reporting ever being drunk.

The study mainly calls for a need for change in attitude of mental health workers.