Ba Provincial Council chairman Meli Tora has emphasized the importance of having honest and trustworthy law enforcement officers in the newly established Drugs and Narcotics Bureau.
His remarks follow incidents where some officers were discovered to be involved with drugs.
Mr. Tora believes that the integrity of the officers is vital for the bureau to effectively address drug-related issues.
“For the bureau to succeed, it must be staffed with officers who are committed to their duties and can be trusted by the community,” he said.
Mr. Tora indicated that having reliable and honest officers would help restore public confidence and ensure that the bureau could effectively combat the drug problem.
He also highlighted the broader context of the drug issue, stressing that the fight against drugs begins at home.
Mr. Tora pointed out that parents need to take more responsibility in guiding and supervising their children.
Additionally, he urged churches and pastors to reach out to youths and visit their homes to advocate on this issue, especially since most of these youths are iTaukei.
“Parents need to take responsibility and be more involved in their children’s lives. Churches and pastors must also play a proactive role in addressing the drug problem within the community,” he stated.