Fiji’s Fight Against Addiction: A Call for Business Support

Local Government Minister Maciu Nalumisa has urged businesses to invest in the creation of drug rehabilitation centres in Fiji. During the opening of the Sigatoka Coral Coast Festival on Saturday, he emphasized that drug addiction is a pressing issue impacting the youth and called for collective efforts to tackle this crisis.

Mr. Nalumisa highlighted that the Coalition Government has introduced incentives to encourage businesses to contribute to rehabilitation efforts. These incentives include a 13-year tax holiday for setting up drug rehabilitation centres and duty-free imports for necessary capital goods. He also mentioned that businesses donating to any rehabilitation centre would receive a full tax deduction.

Despite Fiji’s natural beauty, Mr. Nalumisa pointed out the dark challenge of drug addiction affecting communities, particularly the youth. The government is exploring various options to establish rehabilitation centres while also actively engaging non-governmental organizations for support.

Additionally, he spoke about government initiatives including the formation of a Narcotics Bureau under the Ministry of Home Affairs, which has been allocated $2 million in the 2024/2025 National Budget. Furthermore, the ministry has initiated the Counter Narcotics Strategy 2023-2028, focusing on strategies such as demand and supply reduction, harm reduction, legal reform, data collection, establishing a drug court, and fostering international partnerships.

Mr. Nalumisa also noted the importance of a holistic approach in addressing addiction, particularly in involving the youth in programs that promote positive activities. With 50 percent of Fiji’s population under the age of 34, he stressed the need for targeted programs that offer education, employment, and rehabilitation opportunities to mitigate the risk factors, such as higher youth unemployment projected above the national average of 4.3 percent.

This call to action presents a hopeful prospect for Fiji’s youth, emphasizing the importance of community and government collaboration in overcoming drug addiction challenges. By investing in rehabilitation and creating sustainable support systems, the pathway toward recovery and resilience for the younger generation can be strengthened.