Residents of Lautoka are advocating for government assistance aimed at supporting drug users through rehabilitation programs. They believe that providing second chances can strengthen families, lower crime rates, and enhance community safety.
During a recent consultation in Lautoka, participants discussed a proposed rehabilitation framework that would present drug users with a choice: engage in a rehabilitation program or face punitive court actions. This approach has been met with enthusiasm by local communities, who see it as a potential means to prevent vulnerable youth from becoming entrenched in drug culture while also mitigating long-term harm.
Selwa Chand, the manager of the Lautoka Girmit Center, shared a poignant example of a young girl who inadvertently brought drugs to school, highlighting the exploitation of children who are often unaware of their circumstances. She emphasized the need for protective measures to shield vulnerable minors and ensure that rehabilitation programs include necessary safeguards.
Inspector Jemesa Lave from the Ministry of Policing explained that the new legislation will distinctly separate commercial traffickers from users. He noted that certain models used overseas allow drug users who are arrested to opt for rehabilitation instead of prosecution, with ongoing monitoring and assessments to facilitate their reintegration into society.
“One of the new things we propose to put into the legislation is the rehabilitation plan, users can choose a pathway whether he takes a rehabilitation pathway or a punitive pathway,” Lave stated.
Local resident Tarlo Chand expressed concerns about the exposure of children to drugs and the frustrations faced by communities due to inaction from authorities when evidence is lacking. His comments underline the critical need for a balance between protection and rehabilitation.
“Our laws should be stringent… children involved with drugs need protection, and authorities must act to keep them safe,” Tarlo asserted.
The residents of Lautoka are hopeful that adopting a rehabilitation-focused approach will create a balance between law enforcement and providing second chances. Their vision is one that prioritizes the protection of youth and aids in the reform of users, ultimately leading to stronger and safer communities throughout Fiji.
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