Qiliho sounds warning on Meth scourge at Bose ko Viti

Delegates at the annual conference of the Methodist Church in Fiji and Rotuma have been informed of the toll that methamphetamine addiction is having on Fijian children.

This was revealed to delegates by Commissioner of Police Brigadier-General Sitiveni Qiliho, who said this was a new concern for the Fiji Police Force. During a presentation at the conference at Suva’s Centenary Church yesterday, Brigadier-General Qiliho spoke of one particular case and urged church delegates to play their role in educating the public, particularly its members, about the dangers of the drug.

“I was really hurt when an iTaukei mother called me last month saying that her 17-year-old daughter was taking methamphetamine,” Brigadier-General Qiliho said.

“We took the girl to the Police station to have a talk with her. While talking to her we realised that what we were saying and her replies we are not on the same page. “We realised that the drugs were taking its toll on her and that she was addicted. “We then took her to the hospital to be treated. We need to fight this from happening to anyone else.

“If we don’t try to combat this then it will cause chaos, especially in a small country like ours.”

Brig-Gen Qiliho said the church also had its role to play in trying to combat drugs in Fiji.

“I plead with the church to preach about drugs. Families also have a role to play,” he said.

“I am happy that we are working together to serve the public. All the Christian denominations in Ba are working together to ensure that crimes in Fiji decrease. “Methodism is like the mother of all Christian denominations. When you step forward all the churches will follow.” Brigadier-General Qiliho said marijuana was also a concern.

“In March this year Police were able to recover $15 million worth of marijuana from all over the country and in July we recovered more than $16m worth,” he said.

“If the churches work with the Fiji Police Force we can fight this. We are still arresting people who cultivate marijuana.”

If the churches work with the Fiji Police Force we can fight this. We are still arresting people who cultivate marijuana.” Sitiveni Qiliho Assistant Commissioner of Police

Photo: Simione Haravanua Police Commissioner Brigadier-General Sitiveni Qiliho and the Assistant Commissioner for Police (ACP) Rusiate Tudravu at the Methodist Church of Fiji Annual Conference meeting at the Centenary Methodist Church on August 23,2018.