Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka is calling on school communities and parents to collaborate with the government in addressing drug-related issues. His plea comes in response to a troubling clean-up after the Miss Hibiscus Festival, which uncovered discarded syringes.
While addressing attendees at the Ratu Kadavulevu School’s centennial celebration at Albert Park in Suva, Mr. Rabuka expressed disappointment after receiving negative feedback about conditions following the festival. “After attending a Communion Service at Butt Street, Wesley Church, I instructed my staff to check again with the city cleaners, and they confirmed finding a pile of refuse that included a syringe used for intravenous drug use,” he stated.
He emphasized the urgent need for communities to come together to tackle the drug problem, particularly as it poses a significant threat to the youth. Mr. Rabuka stressed that the battle against drugs should begin with parents and extend to schools, faith-based organizations, and local communities.
Assistant Commissioner of Police Operations, Livai Driu, reported that although no arrests were made during the festival, some occurred in the Suva area and its suburbs. “Used syringes were discovered in various locations within Suva. However, we cannot prosecute individuals for merely possessing empty syringes, as current laws do not address this,” ACP Driu explained. He added that police operations mainly target alcohol-related offenses, theft, and other drug-related issues.
“The festival wasn’t the only area we monitored; our focus extends to the entire Suva region,” he noted.