The Ministry of iTaukei Affairs, the Republic of Fiji Military Forces and the Fiji Police Force met with village leaders from across the Western Division on Wednesday, pressing traditional chiefs and village heads to take a lead role in preventing the spread of illegal drugs at the grassroots. The Joint Counter Narcotics Task Force – West convened the engagement at Blackrock Camp in Nadi, bringing together Roko Tuis and Turaga ni Koro to map out community-level responses and early intervention strategies.
Acting Permanent Secretary for iTaukei Affairs Paula Tuione told the gathering that stronger cooperation between government agencies, security forces, traditional leadership and communities is critical to confronting drug-related harms. The workshop concentrated on raising public awareness, bolstering early intervention, and improving coordination so families and young people in rural areas are better protected from narcotics-related exploitation and harm.
Representatives of the Task Force included Commander Joint Task Force Brigadier General Manoa Gadai and Assistant Divisional Police Commander West Senior Superintendent Esira Bari, who emphasised the need for coordinated national efforts to tackle narcotics activity. Officials framed the engagement as part of a wider, multi-agency push that links security responses with community prevention, rather than relying solely on enforcement after offences occur.
Traditional leaders from Nadroga, Nadi and Lautoka shared local concerns and practical ideas during the workshop, highlighting issues such as youth vulnerability, exploitation of children in drug distribution, and the social pressures that make communities susceptible to criminal networks. The session concluded with a Talanoa — an open forum — where village leaders and officials discussed the specific challenges their areas face and how joint, locally driven responses might be strengthened.
This local-level outreach is the latest development in a growing national response to Fiji’s drug problem, complementing parallel initiatives aimed at prevention and capacity-building. In March, Japan pledged US$5.48 million to a UNICEF-led programme focused on protecting children and adolescents from the rising drug crisis, funding prevention, early intervention and frontline worker training. The government has also been expanding institutional capacity, including recruitment for the new Counter Narcotics Bureau, as part of broader efforts to disrupt trafficking and organised networks.
Authorities said the Blackrock Camp engagement reflects an ongoing commitment to protecting rural communities and building a safer Fiji through unity and shared responsibility. By explicitly involving Roko Tuis and Turaga ni Koro, officials are hoping traditional governance structures can be mobilised to identify risks earlier, support vulnerable families and channel young people into prevention and rehabilitation pathways before problems escalate.
Community leaders and security officials signalled plans for follow-up activities to translate the Talanoa’s ideas into concrete local actions, including awareness campaigns, referral pathways for at-risk youth, and stronger communication links between village authorities and the Joint Counter Narcotics Task Force – West. As enforcement agencies continue to pursue transnational suppliers, officials say sustained community engagement at the village level will be essential to reduce demand, protect children and shore up resilience across the Western Division.