Authorities in Fiji continue to face significant challenges in eliminating drug peddlers from the streets.
Home Affairs Minister Pio Tikoduadua expressed concerns to The Lens@177 this week, noting that the Government and police have faced criticism from the public for focusing solely on raids.
“There are bad people, we catch them and try to stop them from doing bad things, and those include the peddlers,” he stated.
Tikoduadua likened peddlers to worker ants, highlighting that they are not the masterminds behind the operations and do not ultimately benefit. He described them as the intermediaries, driven by various motivations, such as the necessity to pay for basic needs.
“It’s a bit challenging to eliminate them because they are sophisticated, but the motivation behind their actions varies. People peddle because they need to meet life’s necessities,” he explained.
Emphasizing the importance of understanding the underlying reasons behind drug peddling, Tikoduadua said, “Sometimes people are quick to point fingers. It’s important to delve into the root causes.”
He added that repeat offenders who refuse to reform or rehabilitate deserve the consequences prescribed by law, as they are considered naturally bad individuals.
Tikoduadua also mentioned that the new counter-narcotics strategy would address how to handle persistent drug peddlers.
“We would like to believe that people are inherently good, but there are some very bad individuals out there,” he noted.
He firmly stated, “Anyone who peddles drugs without cause, and there is really no good reason for anyone to peddle drugs, deserves to be held accountable.”
The Minister expressed his determination to stop drug peddlers and prevent them from finding opportunities to continue their activities.
“They are cunning and try to outwit and outthink us, but I believe we have smarter people. The Fijian community is more mature and responsible,” Tikoduadua said, distinguishing between peddlers and responsible citizens.
He concluded by affirming that the responsible actions of the community set them apart from drug peddlers.