Concerns are rising among village headmen in the Lau province, particularly on Moala Island, regarding the alleged exchange of marijuana for methamphetamine among local youth. Reports gathered during visits to Moala and Vanuabalavu suggest that meth is becoming increasingly accessible to young people on these islands.
The Fiji Police Narcotics Bureau has been notified of the situation but has yet to compile substantial evidence. There are allegations that meth is being smuggled to the islands by Lau villagers traveling from Suva, with minimal security checks at the wharves complicating the issue due to limited police resources in the area.
Young people across the Lau Group are reportedly being exposed to methamphetamine through various means, including yachts, inter-island shipping, domestic flights, and online tutorials on its production. Village headmen from the province’s 72 villages are deeply concerned that the drug’s presence could threaten the islands’ peace and lifestyle.
Roko Tui Lau, Jaji Kalounivalu, expressed his worry about the future of the local population, stating that while marijuana use has been established, recent reports indicate that meth is also becoming prevalent across several islands, including Vanuabalavu, Ono-i-Lau, Lakeba, and Moala. He fears that even if current usage rates are low, the small population could see swift and widespread adoption of meth if the situation is not addressed.
The Lau Group consists of over 50 islands, with only 19 inhabited, housing approximately 80,000 residents, according to past census data. Young males between the ages of 10 and 30 make up a significant portion of the population, highlighting the demographic at risk for drug use.
In examining the situation in Moala and Vanuabalavu, it is known that marijuana is cultivated, sold, and used illegally, but a past incident involving packaged cocaine found along the shores has heightened fears of drug trafficking in the area. A Moala police officer noted the potential links between local groups and drug dealers in Suva, yet concrete evidence of meth use remains to be established.
Indicators of drug use, particularly among young men, are being observed through behaviors such as increased alcohol consumption and violence. Medical professionals have reported more physical assault cases tied to alcohol abuse, further underscoring the potential impact of drug abuse on local communities.
Village leaders suspect that drugs are being trafficked from Viti Levu to Moala via inter-island shipping routes, with concerns raised about the lack of effective measures to stop this illicit flow. While Vanuabalavu currently shows no signs of meth use, there are fears regarding the cultivation and distribution of marijuana and potential drug trafficking in the area.
Additionally, past experiences with unexpected drug finds, such as the seizure of cocaine packages in 2018, have left residents wary of the drug’s increasing presence. However, criticisms have been directed at law enforcement for insufficient monitoring at ports and airports, allowing potential traffickers to operate with greater ease.
Community leaders and health professionals are advocating for heightened awareness and preventive measures against drug abuse, emphasizing the need for government action to curb the inflow of illicit substances into the Lau Group.