Independent Member of Parliament Ioane Naivalurua has emphasized that the fight against drugs requires a strong and immediate response rather than a bureaucratic one. He made these remarks during the debate on the 2024-2025 Budget, where he advocated for the formation of a Joint Select Committee to oversee and evaluate the implementation and progress of the Coalition Government’s Counter Narcotics Strategy.
While expressing his support for the efforts of the Minister for Home Affairs and Immigration in setting up a Narcotics Bureau, Naivalurua pointed out that the ground reality shows drugs are still easily accessible on the streets. He questioned whether the government’s efforts are adequate for the crisis at hand.
In his budget scrutiny, Naivalurua noted that much of the Counter Narcotics Strategy 2023 still requires funding in various stakeholder ministries. Although he sees the launch of the Counter Narcotics Strategy as a positive move, he raised several critical questions:
1. Will the strategies within the document effectively disrupt the flow and use of drugs?
2. Does the strategy send a clear message to syndicates attempting to exploit the nation’s borders and its people?
3. Will it foster a national consciousness for everyone to stand together in this fight?
4. Will it restore Fiji to a safe and stable state?
Naivalurua’s strong stance highlights the urgent need for decisive action against the drug problem in Fiji.