‘Whole-of-nation’ fight against drugs urged

Commander Joint Task Force Brigadier-General Manoa Gadai is calling for a “whole-of-nation approach” to address Fiji’s growing drug problem.

Brigadier-General Gadai made the call while addressing Ministry of iTaukei Affairs officials, district officers, and village headmen in the Western Division yesterday.

He said a co-ordinated national response was needed because the narcotics network had broader implications for national security, public safety, governance, health, wellbeing, and community resilience.

“The associated threats require a co-ordinated whole-of-nation approach involving Government institutions, security agencies, traditional leadership, and community stakeholders,” Brigadier-General Gadai said.

A talanoa session was also held, where the Roko Tui Nadroga, Roko Tui Nadi, and Roko Tui Lautoka reinforced the role of traditional leadership in supporting awareness, prevention, reporting, and community-level engagement in counter-narcotics efforts.

Ministry of iTaukei Affairs Permanent Secretary Paula Tuione, who officiated at the workshop, stressed the importance of a co-ordinated national effort to address narcotics-related threats through collaboration between Government agencies, security institutions, traditional leaders, and communities.

Acting Divisional Police Commissioner West Senior Superintendent Esira Bari outlined the current narcotics situation in the Western Division and highlighted the importance of co-ordinated enforcement, intelligence sharing, and community support in disrupting illicit drug activities.