Namosi cracks down on illicit drugs as man removed from village

A man caught with drugs and found to be planting marijuana was removed from a village in Namosi, a move traditional leaders say has helped sharply reduce marijuana use across the province.

Tui Namosi Ratu Suliano Matanitobua said the man, who was from Nadroga but had maternal links to Namosi, was asked to leave the village after drugs were discovered at his home and marijuana plants were found.

The matter was reported to police, and village authorities gave the man one to two years to demonstrate meaningful change.

Ratu Suliano said the decision reflected the vanua’s values, which prioritise people’s wellbeing over punishment alone.

He said strict rules enforced by the province had led to a significant decline in marijuana use in Namosi.

“These decisions are firm, but they are also about giving people the chance to reform,” he said.

Ratu Suliano clarified that such measures were applied mainly to visitors or non-permanent residents who breached the law, rather than those permanently belonging to the vanua.

While there were a few reports of marijuana entering villages last year, he said strong community enforcement had drastically reduced incidents.

Ratu Suliano called on all 14 provinces to work together to protect the vanua and support churches, stressing that law enforcement alone could not address drug issues without strong community involvement.

He said cooperation between police, village authorities and families was essential to maintain discipline, preserve social values and protect young people from drugs.