Concerns are rising among village leaders in Lau, particularly on Moala Island, about reports of marijuana being traded by local youths for methamphetamine sourced from Suva. Recent visits to Moala and Vanuabalavu have revealed that meth use is allegedly on the rise among young people in these islands.
Authorities from the Fiji Police Narcotics Bureau in Suva have been informed, but the police are still in the process of gathering concrete evidence. Reports suggest that meth is being smuggled to the islands by other Lau villagers who travel via passenger boats from Suva, largely due to inadequate security checks at the wharf, coupled with limited police presence on the islands.
The youth in the Lau Group are being introduced to methamphetamine use and sales through various means, including yachts, inter-island shipping, domestic flights, and online tutorials instructing on its production. Village headmen from the 72 villages across the province have voiced significant worries that meth use could disrupt the islands’ peace and way of life.
Roko Tui Lau, Jaji Kalounivalu, emphasized that while marijuana has a long history of cultivation and use in the area, reports from Vanuabalavu, Ono-i-Lau, Lakeba, and Moala have indicated a concerning presence of meth. He mentioned that while current usage may be low among youths, the small population is at risk of rapid growth in substance use.
The Lau Group comprises over 50 islands, with 19 of them inhabited, and has an estimated population of about 80,000. The majority of the young population is male, particularly within the age range of 10 to 30 years.
In a separate matter, the Moala Community Post reported connections between local groups and drug dealers in Suva, which have raised alarms about potential drug trafficking activities. The behavior of many young men in the community shows signs of increased violence and alcohol consumption, which may indicate exposure to drugs.
Medical personnel have noted a rise in physical assault cases attributed to alcohol abuse, suggesting an underlying issue with substance misuse in the youth demographic. Village leaders believe drugs are entering from Viti Levu and have urged the government to take action against the inflow of illicit substances.
In Vanuabalavu, while no meth use has been confirmed, marijuana cultivation and trafficking remain a problem. Local villagers have reported suspicious activities at sea, with floating buoys and nets that they believe are linked to drug trafficking.
Additionally, past incidents have raised concerns about the monitoring of local transport systems for drug smuggling. Criticism has been directed at the police for inadequate enforcement measures at wharfs and airports. Local shipping industry representatives have called for increased visibility and proactive measures from law enforcement to combat the drug trade.
This article is part of a series addressing the growing methamphetamine issue in Fiji.