Police have released shocking statistics which requires the attention of every citizen, every leader and visitor regardless of their social economic status or background.
Our war on drugs has just taken up a notch.
Last year, in January alone, Police recorded 87 drug related cases. This year, that has almost doubled with 169 cases in January. Percentage-wise, it has shot up significantly by 94 per cent.
Shocking is it not? Our children, our hope for tomorrow, will be left with this social ill to deal with when their time to take on leadership roles come.
That is, if they are not already part of the statistic. Commenting on the overall crime rate for January which increased by 10 per cent compared to last year, Acting Commissioner of Police Juki Fong Chew said it was worrying.
Acting Commissioner of Police Juki Fong Chew
It is not just his force’s concern it is everyone’s. For if these statistics are anything to go by, in 2025, the statistics may as well increase very significantly.
And if we still haven’t found a solution to the problem, we are heading for a very bleak future.
A future of violence, a future where women, children and the vulnerable feel unsafe.
So how can we win this war on drugs?
As reported, the powers that be have admitted that it is possible that in these bigger drug raids, someone or a few in the force may have fallen prey to the tentacles of crime.
And it is only a matter of time before they will be brought to justice.
But what can they do now or what can leaders do to root out the cause of this evil for it is a multi-faceted issue.
Drugs found in large containers and Photo: Fiji Police
If the Police are to close a drug case today, many more will pop up tomorrow.
Additionally, crimes against women have also increased.
Which brings us to the question: Are drugs and crimes against the vulnerable linked?
Some viewers will not doubt it. They will confirm it for they’ve witnessed and heard about cases where drugs have been associated with violence and abuse of women and children.
One critical area that Government and community leaders can invest and shift their focus on is through youth engagement programmes.
One of the aspects of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) is getting youth more immersed in community-based action programmes with wide incentive to the participation of the youth.
Activities of extended perspective regarding different types of substances, with focus on people and social interactions; and the guarantee that other groups that can influence the youth’s life conditions are considered in the programmes developed.
Many are the ways to tackle and create solutions for a better tomorrow. Yet there are also many ways where these efforts can fail. However, if Fiji is to truly win the war on drugs then our Police force must wear their badge with pride and integrity.
Further to that, Minister for Home Affairs, Pio Tikoduadua also pointed out to gaps in the system that governs the country’s border security.
“We need to get to the bottom of it and those who are found to bringing this here because it would be locals it,” he said.
“I want them to know that we are on to them and we will have no leniency or whatsoever on these people.”
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