The battle against illegal drugs is intensifying in Suva City, as reports indicate a rise in the number of used syringes being discovered throughout the area. Tevita Boseiwaqa, the acting chief executive officer of the Suva City Council (SCC), noted that street cleaners are increasingly finding these discarded syringes.
These workers have expressed concerns for their health and safety, as they face the hazardous task of picking up syringes that could potentially be linked to drug use and the transmission of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). Boseiwaqa mentioned that the majority of the syringes are located in known drug areas within the city.
“We want to ensure that our cleaners are properly equipped and dressed to safeguard their health, as it is both a focus and a legal requirement,” Boseiwaqa stated.
In a report released last month, the Ministry of Health and Medical Services disclosed that there were 552 reported cases of HIV between January and June. Of those, 85 cases involved individuals identified as injectable drug users. The Central Division accounted for 380 of these new HIV cases, with the Western Division reporting 151, followed by 19 in the North and two in the Eastern Division.
The health ministry has advised young people engaged in high-risk activities to refrain from using injectable drugs and sharing needles. Boseiwaqa emphasized the need to raise awareness about the significance of wearing protective and safety gear for street cleaners.
“For our future organizational structure and Standard Operating Procedures, we conduct quarterly checks to ensure the availability of safety equipment. Often, although we provide the gear, it is not always worn,” he added. “Addressing the drug issue is critical, and we are committed to ensuring that public spaces in Suva are free from drugs by collaborating with various stakeholders.”