Rabi Island battles growing marijuana use

Marijuana use is worsening on Rabi Island, prompting the administrator to request police intervention.

Rabi Island administrator Iakoba Karutake has written to the Fiji Police Force, requesting a team be deployed to conduct raids on the island.

"People are using illicit drugs like marijuana, and it's getting worse on the island," Mr Karutake said.

"I look forward to the government and Fiji Police coming to Rabi, deploying their team, and assessing the situation."

Illicit drugs are substances banned by law. Despite the growing concern, Mr Karutake confirmed that no hard drugs such as methamphetamine have been reported on the island, and major crime remains low.

He said he has met repeatedly with local police to address the problem and charge those involved in planting and smoking marijuana.
"I've been stressing to the Fiji Police Force and our local police," he said.

"I’ve met them many times to work on this and to charge those people who are planting and smoking these illicit drugs."

However, the administrator stressed that tackling drug use requires a community-wide effort beyond law enforcement.

"It's everybody's responsibility. It's not only the Fiji Police or the local police, but also everybody's responsibility," Mr Karutake said.

He called on church leaders, village elders, and parents to actively discourage drug use.

"All the leaders on Rabi, the church leaders, the community leaders and the elders must work closely with Fiji Police and local police. If we work together, we can eliminate marijuana," he said.

Mr Karutake also stressed the importance of family communication in prevention.

"Families need to sit down and spend time with their kids to address these issues," he said.

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