The Fiji Police have registered 768 drug-related cases so far this year, as compared to a total of 2024 cases in 2023, according to Acting Assistant Commissioner of Crime Mesake Waqa.
Waqa made these remarks while launching the anti-drug awareness week program in Rakiraki yesterday.
He noted that out of this year’s cases, 600 involved marijuana, with the remaining cases pertaining to cocaine and methamphetamine.
“These are the three common drugs prevalent in our environment,” he stated.
“The Western Division alone recorded 347 cases, 146 were from the Northern Division, 156 from the Southern Division, 61 in the Eastern Division, and 45 cases in the Central Division.”
Waqa issued a stern warning to the students present at the event.
“Students, drugs are not worth your time and energy. If you are already engaged in smoking, drinking kava, or consuming alcohol, I urge you to stop immediately,” he advised.
“Our research indicates that children who become addicted to drugs often started with a cigarette butt, a bowl of kava, or a glass of beer.”
Waqa expressed his gratitude to the vanua of Ra for their commitment to keeping drugs out of their villages.