A 17-year-old girl from the Southern division has become the youngest victim to succumb to the effects of hard drugs namely methamphetamine.

This has been confirmed to FBC News by Police Commissioner Brigadier General Sitiveni Qiliho as investigation into the matter continues.

METH consumption is fast becoming a major concern for the Police force and the involvement of youngsters as users is a growing trend.

The Police Commissioner has revealed he had to step in to help a mother after she requested the assistance of the force to save her daughter from the harmful effects of methamphetamine.

“Just two months ago it was unfortunate that I found out that a seventeen young I-taukei girl had succumbed to the effects of that and had to be hospitalized mum coming to see me seeking my assistance. We’ve gone that far. There are some people that are out there that have succumbed to the effects of this drugs in particular methamphetamine.”

Brig. Gen Sitiveni Qiliho says this is the first case of its kind to come across the Police Force adding that it’s shocking to see young people becoming victims of these hard drugs.

“We picked her up from one of the houses where we had the suspect that we were following in regards to methamphetamine and she was there high on that drug and we brought her to the station but she didn’t make sense so she was taken to the hospital for treatment.”

FBC News has received confirmation from St Giles hospital that they treated the young girl however there is no confirmation on whether she is still admitted or has been discharged._"

Brig. Gen Qiliho adds the matter is currently being investigated as they dig into identifying the main culprits selling these hard drugs.

As a powerful stimulant, methamphetamine, even in small doses, can increase wakefulness, physical activity and decrease appetite.

Methamphetamine can also cause a variety of cardiovascular problems, including rapid heart rate, irregular heartbeat, and increased blood pressure.