A call for action
IT is difficult not to be swayed by the recent spate of drug raids across Fiji which culminated in the massive seizure of over 4.1 tonnes of methamphetamine. It sent shockwaves through the nation. While the scale of the bust is alarming, it raises a critical question: what was happening all this while?
Did we, as a nation, slip up? Did the authorities turn a blind eye to the spread of this highly addictive and destructive drug?
The focus seemed to be solely on marijuana for quite a while, while methamphetamine, a far more potent and devastating threat, lurked in the shadows. Did this skewed priority create an environment where meth flourished, undetected and unchallenged. Now, with the Northern Division being drawn in, the full extent of this crisis becomes clear.
Assistant Commissioner of Police Operations Livai Driu’s statement, while reassuring in its commitment to expanded drug raids across the country, also carries the weight of a chilling truth. We have a huge problem which went undetected for some years. So on top of the marijuana trade, we now have the massive problem of fighting meth!
Mr Driu’s commendation of the communities’ newfound proactiveness in providing information and uprooting plants is a testament to the power of collective action.
Eradicating the drug trade is a complex battle requiring a multi-pronged approach.
We have always said that while heightened police activity is crucial, it must be accompanied by strong community engagement.
We have also advocated the need for rehabilitation programs for addicts, and education to counter the allure of drugs.
We have also said that the fight against drugs cannot be solely shouldered by the police.
We all need to be engaged. That will mean working together. This will need a collective effort from every citizen, every community leader, every religious institution, and every government agency.
We need open and honest conversations about this major challenge before us.
The recent busts serve as a stark wake-up call. We can only hope no one was sleeping on the job!
The discovery of the huge amount of meth reminds us that ignoring a problem doesn’t make it disappear.
We should let this be a turning point in our fight against the drug trade.
In saying that, it is encouraging to note that chiefs of Nadi are now working closely with the police to fight the drug war.
Mr Driu said he spoke with the chiefs of the vanua o Nadi last week to get their support.
Again, we have said this before, this is not simply a police matter; it is a national crisis demanding a national response. Let us rise to the challenge, together.