More Used Syringes Found in Suva

The fight against illicit drugs is getting worse with reports of more used syringes allegedly being found around Suva City.

The numbers found by Suva City Council street cleaners are increasing, says SCC acting chief executive officer Tevita Boseiwaqa.

Street cleaners are worried about their health and safety because they are exposed to the dreadful task of collecting discarded used syringes which could be used for drugs ‘bluetoothing’ and Human Immunodeficiency Viruses (HIV).

Mr Boseiwaqa said most of the used syringes were found in drug spots around the city.

“What we would like to see, is that they (cleaners) are dressed up so well that they’re safe because that’s the focus and a requirement under the law,” Ms Boseiwaqa said.

Last month, the Ministry of Health and Medical Services revealed that from January to June, there were 552 cases of HIV.

Eighty-five of the new cases were among the individuals who were identified as injectable drug users.

In last month’s HIV news case release, the Central Division recorded 380 new cases, 151 in the Western Division, 19 in the North and two in the Eastern Division.

The health ministry advised youths, who are heavy users of high-risk activities to avoid injectable drugs, and sharing of needles.

Mr Boseiwaqa said the challenge was to create awareness on the importance of wearing protective and safety gear.

“For our upcoming organisational structure with its Standard Operating Procedures, we have our quarterly inventory check-ups to ensure that they (street cleaners) have safety equipment,” Mr Boseiwaqa said.

“Most of the time we supply but they’re not wearing it. Drug is an issue now, for us we’re ensuring that Suva City Council public space is drug-free, and we will be working with stakeholders.

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