Outdated laws and insufficient coordination among various agencies are hindering Fiji’s efforts to combat drug-related issues, according to Justice Permanent Secretary Selena Kuruleca. During a national dialogue on drugs, she emphasized the need for immediate action rather than just long-term strategies to address these pressing challenges.
Kuruleca highlighted the importance of legislative reform as part of the national counter-narcotics strategy, specifically within its fourth pillar. She proposed the implementation of laws that would set minimum standards for rehabilitation, establish a new category for child drug exposure offenses, and create clear referral pathways along with mandatory reporting requirements.
She pointed out that while Fiji’s existing frameworks, like the Child Welfare Act, facilitate agency connections in cases of suspected child abuse, there remains a significant lack of coordination across various ministries regarding drug-related issues. “We have some very old laws. Let’s leverage what is in the existing laws that can assist us,” Kuruleca remarked.
The official underscored the necessity for early intervention to protect children, arguing that failing to do so could lead to harsher consequences later. “If the law does not protect the child early, it will punish them later. That is unacceptable,” she asserted.
In addition, Kuruleca called for a concentrated effort to reduce demand for drugs, the establishment of specialized child protection investigation units within the Fiji Police Force, and a fully coordinated and well-trained frontline workforce. She warned, “We can’t have a couple of narcotics bureaus set up and they’re just siloed there, by themselves. We’re setting ourselves up for another loss and waste of resources.”
The urgent calls for action reflect a willingness within the government to adapt and reform in order to better safeguard the future of the nation’s youth and address the ongoing drug crisis more effectively.
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