Independent Member of Parliament Ioane Naivalurua has emphasized the need for a vigorous and immediate response in the battle against drugs, opposing a bureaucratic approach.
During a debate on the 2024-2025 Budget, Naivalurua called for the establishment of a Joint Select Committee for Parliamentary Oversight to review and assess the implementation and progress of the Coalition Government’s Counter Narcotics Strategy.
While commending the efforts of the Minister for Home Affairs and Immigration in creating a Narcotics Bureau, Naivalurua noted that the drug situation has worsened, with narcotics readily available on the streets.
He questioned if the government’s efforts are adequate given the severity of the crisis. Naivalurua pointed out that much of the Counter Narcotics Strategy 2023 remains unfunded across various ministries.
The launch of this strategy is a positive move, but Naivalurua posed several critical questions: Will these strategies effectively disrupt the flow and use of drugs? Do they send a clear signal to syndicates exploiting borders and people? Will they foster a national awareness and collective action against drugs? And will they restore Fiji to a state of safety and stability?