Concerns have been raised by village leaders in Lau, particularly on Moala Island, about the alleged exchange of marijuana by local youths for methamphetamine brought from Suva. Reports collected during visits to Moala and Vanuabalavu suggest that meth use is becoming prevalent among young people on these islands.
The Fiji Police Narcotics Bureau is aware of the situation but has not yet been able to collect substantial evidence. It is believed that meth is being smuggled to the islands via villagers who travel on passenger boats from Suva, taking advantage of insufficient security measures at the wharf due to limited police resources in the area.
Youngsters in the Lau Group encounter the drugs regularly through a variety of means, including yachts, inter-island shipping, domestic flights, and even online tutorials on drug manufacturing. Village headmen from the 72 villages in the province have expressed serious concerns about the potential destruction of community peace and their traditional way of life due to meth use.
Roko Tui Lau Jaji Kalounivalu noted that while marijuana has been cultivated and used for some time, they are now receiving alarming reports from Vanuabalavu, Ono-i-Lau, Lakeba, and Moala regarding the presence of meth, colloquially known as “ice.” He emphasized the risk of this drug spreading rapidly among the small population if not addressed promptly.
The Lau Group consists of over 50 islands, only 19 of which are inhabited, and has an estimated population of around 80,000, with approximately 6,800 villagers currently living on the islands. The majority of the young population consists of males aged 10 to 30, with male youths particularly impacted by drug use.
Historically, marijuana has been known to be cultivated on these islands, but the appearance of packaged cocaine in Lau in 2018 raised alarms about the potential introduction of harder drugs. Locals also highlighted a suspected drug connection between Moala and a dealer in Suva.
Station officer Biutoka Vuli remarked on the strong indicators of drug use among male youth, noting rising instances of school dropouts, increased alcohol abuse, and escalating violence, all suggesting drug exposure. Medical officer Dr. Fifita Niulevu has observed more physical assault cases related to alcohol among the youth, reinforcing fears of an impending drug crisis.
Village leaders believe that drugs, especially meth, are being transported from Viti Levu via inter-island shipping, exacerbating concerns about their impact on the Lau region. Furthermore, villagers on Vanuabalavu noted no confirmed instances of meth use but reported ongoing marijuana cultivation and sales.
Community elder Jione Kali expressed suspicions about drug trafficking, mentioning unusual nets tied to buoys found in ocean waters, theorizing that they might be linked to drug smuggling operations. Authorities face challenges in effectively monitoring the islands, as enforcement has decreased and drug dealers have found ways to evade detection.
Concerned citizens urge a more robust police presence and stricter oversight to combat the escalating drug problem before it becomes further ingrained in their communities.