There is a need for an overhaul of Fiji’s health and social systems to combat the drugs problem, the founder of the non-profit Drug-Free World Fiji says.
Fiji police have seized three-and-a-half tonnes of methamphetamine, in what they say is one of the largest seizures seen in the country.
“We’re in chaos,” Kalesi Volatabu said of the impact of meth on the Fijian community.
“So we need an overhaul of our social system, whether it be with health education, you know – community safety is impacted with this,” she said.
“We don’t have a drug and alcohol rehab in the country. So that’s first and foremost. The demand was initially the international market, whether it be New Zealand, Australia or any other country, but now we have a demand here locally.
“The requests, from the families, from [an] individual looking for help, where do they go? There isn’t a place where they can go.”
She believes “100 percent” the seized stash was headed for Aotearoa New Zealand and Australia, which gives those two countries a responsibility to help.
“Without a doubt, they have to help this country,” she said.
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