Due to issues including scarce resources, insufficient frameworks, and inadequate information on cross-border chemical movements, Fiji’s fight against drugs has been negatively affected. This situation was outlined in the Fiji Counter Narcotics Strategy 2023-2028, released on Wednesday in Suva. It detailed the Fiji Police Force’s statistics from 2019 to 2023, showing $202,484,896 worth of drug exhibits from 1579 cases across departments and regions. Cannabis was involved in 1369 cases, narcotics and other psychotropic substances in 210. Drug cases rose to 1615 in 2023 compared to 1275 in 2019.
According to this strategy, the National Defence and Security Council (NDSC) will serve as the decision-making body, and the Coordination and Steering Committee (CSC) will handle executive functions. The strategy also features seven strategic areas to focus on, including demand reduction, supply reduction, harm reduction, legal reform, data collection, the establishment of a drug treatment court, and international cooperation.
These plans involve educating communities, strengthening enforcement operations, developing treatment pathways for drug users, reviewing laws, conducting research, building a database of past and present offenders, establishing treatment programs as an alternative to prison, and building partnerships with international organizations and neighboring countries.