‘No to Drug Test of MPs’

Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka has brushed aside growing public calls for mandatory drug testing of Members of Parliament, saying such a move is unnecessary unless it is also required of the general public.

In an interview yesterday, the Prime Minister responded plainly to the suggestion.

“Drug tests? We are subject to what the public is subject to. But for MPs to go under drug tests? No. If the public is not compelled to go to drug tests, we will not,” Mr Rabuka said.

The comments come amid a recent wave of public concern over the rise in illicit drugs-related crimes and growing scrutiny of leadership standards.

Civic society groups, social media users, and some political commentators have suggested that MPs should lead by example and undergo regular drug screening to ensure integrity and public trust.

However, Mr Rabuka’s remarks signal that Government was not considering any policy shift on the matter.

The issue of drug testing in public office has surfaced before, particularly during national debates over law enforcement reform and anti-drug campaigns.

While public servants in some sensitive roles, such as law enforcement officers, are subject to testing under certain conditions, there is currently no legislation mandating drug tests for parliamentarians.

“We are subject to what the public is subject to,” Mr Rabuka said.

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