Taveuni fears drug spread

Concerns over the spread of hard drugs into Fiji’s northern islands were raised during a Constitution Review Commission (CRC) consultation in Naselesele today.

A Taveuni resident called for the death penalty for drug-related offences.

Petero Waisea urged commissioners to consider tougher penalties for people involved in hard drugs, saying communities such as Taveuni feared the growing spread of narcotics across the country.

“We in Taveuni have not been involved in these white drug issues,” Mr Waisea told the commission.

“But we can already feel the threat from a distance.”

His comments reflected growing concern among rural communities about the impact of illicit drugs, particularly methamphetamine, commonly referred to locally as “white drugs”.

While Taveuni has largely remained untouched by the escalating drug crisis affecting other parts of the country, residents warned that no community was immune.

Mr Waisea said stronger measures were needed before the problem reached the island.

“If we do not act now, these drugs will destroy families, young people and entire communities,” he said.

“The law must be strong enough to stop it before it spreads further.”

The consultation in Taveuni formed part of the Constitution Review Commission’s nationwide tour to gather public opinions and recommendations on the country’s supreme law.