Women, Children and Social Protection Minister Lynda Tabuya has proposed implementing strict criminal justice measures, including the death penalty, to address the drug and HIV crisis in Fiji. She believes that those who traffic significant amounts of drugs should face capital punishment. During a press conference, Tabuya also revealed that children with HIV/AIDS, transmitted through blood sharing or other means, are being supported at Lautoka Hospital after families sought assistance.
Additionally, the government is working on establishing Fiji’s inaugural Child Wellbeing Centre to help rehabilitate children struggling with drug addiction.
In other news, the recent discovery of marijuana at a kindergarten in Kinoya, Nasinu has raised concerns among law enforcement agencies.
On the business front, there is an urgent need to address skill shortages in Fiji’s construction industry. ANZ senior economist for the Pacific, Dr. Kishti Sen, emphasized the importance of filling these gaps as strong investment projects are expected to commence next year.
In a related vein, Reverend Simione Tugi, the general secretary of the Fiji Council of Churches, emphasized the importance of churches engaging more with their communities rather than limiting their outreach to congregation members. He expressed concern over the tendency of some churches to leave social issues to the government, arguing that these matters directly affect their congregations.
At the same time, the Shree Sanatan Dharm Pratinidhi Sabha of Fiji has called upon its members to spend 15 minutes daily educating their communities about drug abuse as part of celebrations for Krishna Janmashtami. National president Dhirendra Nand has encouraged religious gatherings to dedicate time to discuss the importance of a healthy, drug-free lifestyle.
Both Tugi and Nand highlight the powerful influence of religion in mobilizing communities to tackle pressing social issues, such as drug abuse and HIV. Their advocacy suggests that faith-based initiatives can play a pivotal role in addressing complex societal challenges.