Tailevu is taking significant strides toward combating drug-related issues by implementing a robust community-led initiative that introduces “drug wardens” and enhances surveillance along its coastlines. The Tailevu Provincial Council has unveiled a comprehensive security plan that spans all 22 districts, integrating traditional leadership with grassroots oversight to tackle drug use and trafficking effectively.
Chairman Ratu Semi Matalau emphasized that this initiative empowers local chiefs and village leaders to intervene proactively, especially in settlements on native lands and along vulnerable waterways known to be exploited by traffickers. To foster community involvement, primary committees have been established in various villages to monitor and uphold the law within their districts, complemented by a secondary committee that oversees the entire province. This structure ensures that village leaders receive essential advice about the impact of drugs in quarterly meetings.
The initiative specifically targets settlements occupied by outsiders, which local leaders believe are increasingly becoming centers of illegal activities. Ratu Semi explained that monitoring these areas is crucial for addressing narcotics concerns.
Drawing inspiration from successful models used by Tui Vuda and Tui Sabeto in Ba, Tailevu aims to adopt similar principles of traditional leadership combined with vigilant community monitoring. In coastal regions, specially trained wardens have been assigned to protect waterways, working alongside the Fiji Police Force and Fiji Navy to diminish drug transport by sea.
However, Ratu Semi noted that strict enforcement alone is insufficient. The council is also prioritizing prevention measures through economic empowerment, particularly targeting youth. He urged the government to establish a dedicated “youth market,” providing young people with legitimate opportunities to sell agricultural products and fresh catches, thus steering them away from drug involvement.
Ratu Semi concluded by expressing optimism about the council’s community-driven approach, highlighting the potential for local leaders, families, and law enforcement to collaborate effectively in the fight against drugs. By harnessing these collective efforts, Tailevu is demonstrating that a united community can make significant progress in eradicating drugs from villages and settlements.
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