Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka is calling on school communities and parents to collaborate with the government in addressing the drug issue. This appeal follows a cleanup at the Miss Hibiscus Festival, which uncovered concerning evidence of discarded syringes.
Speaking at the centennial celebration of Ratu Kadavulevu School at Albert Park in Suva, Mr. Rabuka expressed disappointment over the negative feedback received from his staff after checking the festival site.
“During my visit to the Communion Service at Butt Street, Wesley Church, I instructed my team to reconvene with the city cleaners – and indeed, they sent me a photo showcasing a heap of waste that included a syringe used for intravenous drug use,” Mr. Rabuka explained.
He emphasized the importance of communities coming together to tackle the drug crisis, particularly as it is impacting the youth. According to Mr. Rabuka, parents should lead the charge against drug abuse, followed by schools, religious organizations, and community groups.
Assistant Police Commissioner Livai Driu noted that although no arrests were made at the festival, some were made in the surrounding Suva area. “We discovered used syringes in various locations throughout Suva; however, we cannot charge individuals for merely possessing empty and used syringes, as this is not explicitly an offense under current laws,” ACP Driu stated.
He added that police operations prioritize addressing liquor-related crimes, theft, drug offenses, and property crimes, all of which were managed effectively. “The festival was not our sole focus; we had the entire Suva area under our surveillance,” he concluded.