Connection to the people

THE recent drug bust in Nadi, netting over a tonne of methamphetamine, will be seen as a glimmer of hope for our ongoing war against drugs. In the face of this recent bust is a statement by Acting Police Commissioner Juki Fong Chew who talks about cooperation.

He talks about community engagement. Eradication of drugs is not only a police responsibility, he said, but a whole of nation responsibility.

This is a powerful statement. It touches the very heart of what this war is about.

There is an impact on society and there is a trade that is illegal.

In this instance, we reflect on the need to harness the power of the people to boost the fight against the illicit trade.

But let’s face it. Getting people to talk against this lucrative and ruthless trade isn’t going to be easy. The fear of retribution, the complex web of secrecy, and financial incentives for those involved create a formidable wall of silence.

So how do we fight this?

We must remember why this fight matters: every gram seized is a life saved, a family protected, a future secured.

Two crucial points emerge from the Nadi busts. We are not an isolated target. These drugs were destined for further distribution it seems, highlighting the regional and international nature of the drug trade. Collaboration with international police agencies like the AFP and NZ police becomes vital then.

Then there is the issue of public trust and cooperation which are fundamental in this war. Commissioner Chew’s plea is a call to every Fijian. He is calling for engagement. He is pleading for assistance. Again, as we said earlier, this isn’t going to be a walk in the park sort of thing.

We need a multi-pronged approach.

In the face of all the recent developments, there has to be greater public education campaigns demystifying the dangers of drug use, its impact on individuals, families, and communities. We need to be talking about addiction and the great need for rehabilitation centres.

Let’s work on building trust with vulnerable communities, working alongside community leaders, faith-based organizations, and NGOs to create support networks that offer alternatives and promote responsibility.

We need to be mindful of issues such as poverty, lack of opportunities, and other factors that drive people towards the drug trade.

Then there is the need to better equip our police force and those in border control. What we are seeing now obviously isn’t something that has just popped out of the woodwork. Something like this would have processes and systems in place that took years to perfect, until the tip-off! There will be questions asked of the police force and how this slipped through its nets over the years. It seems while we focused on marijuana, the meth issue became a challenge that grew to what we are seeing today.

This fight demands commitment.