In Lau Province, particularly on Moala Island, some local youths are reportedly exchanging marijuana for methamphetamine brought in from Suva, raising alarms among village leaders. Visits to Moala and Vanuabalavu revealed that meth is allegedly becoming part of the youth culture on these islands.
The Fiji Police Narcotics Bureau has been informed about the situation, but concrete evidence has yet to be gathered. Reports suggest that meth is transported to these islands by villagers who travel from Suva, exploiting the insufficient security measures at the wharf.
Young residents in the Lau Group face exposure to meth use and distribution daily—facilitated by various means such as yachts, inter-island shipping, domestic flights, and online resources sharing drug cooking methods. Village leaders across the 72 villages in the province have expressed deep concern that the rise in meth use could undermine the community’s peace and way of life.
Roko Tui Lau Jaji Kalounivalu highlighted that while marijuana use has long been known on the islands, recent reports indicate the presence of meth. He remarked that although not many youths are currently using meth, the small population means that the drug’s spread could happen rapidly.
The Lau Group consists of over 50 islands, with only 19 inhabited, home to approximately 80,000 inhabitants. Statistics show that about 6,800 villagers reside on these islands, mostly males aged between 10 and 30.
In this week’s edition, the report delves into the gradual infiltration of meth in the Lau Group, impacting young lives. Evidence points to the illegal cultivation and sale of marijuana, but the discovery of packaged cocaine on Lau shores in 2018 has raised concerns about the potential for other hard drugs to enter the region.
Moala Community Post Station officer Biutoka Vuli acknowledged the connections between local groups and drug dealers with ties to Suva. However, while he sees strong indications of drug use among local males, he has yet to confirm the presence of meth.
Dr. Fifita Niulevu, a medical officer in Naroi, noted a rise in alcohol-related assault cases among the youth. Incidents such as the assault of a 39-year-old man during a drinking session in July spotlight the growing issues associated with substance use.
Village Headman Inia Cakacaka emphasized the necessity for government action to curb the influx of illicit drugs, which he believes primarily come from Viti Levu. Meanwhile, Vanuabalavu reportedly remains free from meth use, although marijuana remains a concern.
Concerns have also been raised by traditional owners of the Bay of Islands regarding suspicious nets found adrift, which they suspect may be linked to drug trafficking activities.
In a troubling incident, a teenager discovered a package containing cocaine on Moala’s beach in 2018, highlighting the ongoing risk of drug exposure in the area. Criticism has been directed at the police for their insufficient oversight of shipping and airport security, leading to calls for increased vigilance against drug trafficking.
Activists have pointed out that all existing routes in Fiji are exploitable for drug transport, indicating a wider societal impact as drugs affect diverse demographics across the islands.