Village leader demands tough drug action, equal justice

Tukavesi Village headman Kusitino Vosayaco is urging Government to enforce a zero-tolerance policy on all forms of drug offences, saying current measures are too slow to deter offenders.

Speaking at a Kiwa Empower Project and Live & Learn Environmental Education workshop at the Wyndham Hotel conference room in Labasa yesterday, Mr Vosayaco questioned why authorities were “taking their time” to fix Fiji’s drug problem.

“In my village, I hear people talking about how their neighbours are planting marijuana even though the officers of Tukavesi Police Station go around conducting drug raids,” he said.
“When people get arrested, after few weeks upon release on bail they return to the village, replant and sell marijuana to make money because judgment by courthouse takes time and in some cases years.”

Mr Vosayaco said Fiji’s strong stance on gender-based violence and corporal punishment should be extended to drug-related offences.

He also voiced concern over what he claimed was unequal treatment in domestic violence cases.

“There are many men in Fiji suffering at the hands of their wives, mothers and children and yet we rarely hear about them being charged by Police,” he said.
“Law and policies should be made to address issues in the country and must be fair regardless of different gender, race and religion.”

Representatives from the Fiji Police Force responded, saying women who commit crimes have been arrested, produced in court and in some cases sentenced to imprisonment.