A wake-up call

HOME Affairs Minister Pio Tikoduadua did not hold back about the war against drugs in Fiji. Someone was sleeping on the job he said. Now that’s a tough statement. In fact it is going to ruffle a few feathers. It is a wakeup call none-the-less and demands accountability and action in the face of what is developing into a drug crisis plaguing our nation. The recent drug busts in Nadi have attracted attention, and people are either shocked or in disbelief. The busts came off with a massive haul that would have fetched over $2billion. How do we even begin to comprehend the seriousness of the issue before us then? Mr Tikoduadua said the illicit drug trade had been a problem that had been going on for many years without any proper clamp-down from the authorities. It did not happen out of the blue. Mr Tikoduadua’s statement is a bold one. As he rightfully points out, this didn’t materialise overnight. It signifies a systemic issue that’s been festering for years. His accusation of “sleeping on the job” is harsh, but it carries weight. It raises concerns about whether authorities were truly vigilant and effective in tackling this illegal trade. There are critical questions that demand investigation and answers. Mr Tikoduadua acknowledges the challenge, stating it’s “not instant noodles”. In saying that, we look up to the powers that be to strengthen enforcement, address the root causes, create awareness and educate the public about the dangers of drug abuse and critically look at rehabilitation and support. Mr Tikoduadua’s statement serves as a much-needed wake-up call. We need this. We need people to be concerned about the drug challenge. We need people to realise the dangers it poses on our communities and subsequently our nation. We have always said the drug issue was a complex challenge, however, it was something we could deal with. But we need to acknowledge the problem we have before us. We need to take responsibility and consider implementing strategic solutions now. We need people talking about the drug challenge. We need people to be aware and passionate about making a difference in their communities. We need people to understand the dangers of drug abuse and its associated ills. We need people talking about solutions and being part of the change we need now. There has to be dialogue and people need to be encouraged to engage. We have a huge problem. Yet together we can unite for a good cause!