Concerns have emerged among village leaders in Lau, particularly on Moala Island, regarding the alleged exchange of marijuana for methamphetamine sourced from Suva by local youths. Reports collected during visits to Moala and Vanuabalavu suggest that meth use is becoming increasingly prevalent among young people in these areas.
The Fiji Police Narcotics Bureau has been informed, but they have yet to compile substantial evidence on the matter. It is believed that meth is being smuggled to the islands via villagers who travel from Suva on passenger boats, with inadequate security checks at the wharf contributing to the issue.
Young individuals in the Lau Group may encounter the use and sale of methamphetamine daily, facilitated by yachts, inter-island shipping, domestic flights, and online guides detailing its production. Leaders from the 72 villages within the province have voiced serious concerns that meth use could disrupt the community’s peace and lifestyle.
Roko Tui Lau Jaji Kalounivalu expressed worries for the well-being and future of island inhabitants. He mentioned that while marijuana cultivation has long been recognized, reports have now surfaced indicating the presence of meth, colloquially referred to as “ice,” in areas such as Vanuabalavu, Ono-i-Lau, Lakeba, and Moala.
Though the current number of young meth users may be small, Kalounivalu fears that given the province’s limited population, the drug’s impact could spread rapidly. The Lau Group comprises over 50 islands, only 19 of which are inhabited, with a total estimated population of around 80,000.
In-depth reports highlight the gradual infiltration of meth into the Lau region, significantly affecting the lives of the local youth. Marijuana has been acknowledged by law enforcement and community leaders as cultivated and consumed on these islands. However, a notable incident in 2018 involving packaged cocaine discovered on the shores of Lau has raised alarms about the potential for harder drugs to enter the area.
Biutoka Vuli, the station officer at the Moala Community Post, confirmed a connection between a local group and a drug dealer with ties to Suva, although concrete evidence of meth’s presence is still needed. Signs of drug involvement are increasingly visible among young males, including school dropouts, heightened alcohol use, and escalating violence.
Dr. Fifita Niulevu, a medical officer in Naroi, has recorded an uptick in assault cases attributed to youth alcohol consumption. She expressed concern that illicit drugs could soon affect the islands, emphasizing the need for proactive measures against drug trafficking.
Inia Cakacaka, the headman of Nasoki Village, suspects that drugs primarily originate from Viti Levu and that inter-island shipping routes facilitate their transportation. While Vanuabalavu currently lacks confirmed meth use cases, marijuana cultivation and trade persist.
Community elders have noticed suspicious buoys in the Bay of Islands suggesting potential drug trafficking activities. With multiple yachts visiting Daliconi Village weekly, awareness campaigns regarding illicit drugs are ongoing among the youth.
The transport connections to these islands, including domestic flights and bi-weekly vessel routes, highlight the challenges in monitoring drug movement.
Historical incidents such as the discovery of a cocaine package by a local youth in 2018 have raised fears about the islands’ vulnerability to drug infiltration. Criticism has been directed at law enforcement for inadequate security measures at ports and airports, leading to calls for increased monitoring.
Community leaders and advocates are urging for heightened awareness and enforcement to curb the spread of drug use and protect the islands’ residents from the lure of illicit substances.