If there is a need to have weapons, then we should have them to help our people combat the crisis of drugs - Speaker

Strong sentiments were shared by the Speaker of Parliament, Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu for Fiji to be ready, and if there is a need to have weapons, then we should have them to help our people combat the crisis of drugs.

Ratu Naiqama shared his sentiments while speaking at the end of Opposition MP Shalen Kumar’s question to the Minister for Home Affairs and Immigration, Pio Tikoduadua on what specific measures is the Ministry implementing to combat the surge in drug trafficking and usage, particularly concerning methamphetamine and marijuana.

He says the only alarm that this whole scenario has provided for Fiji as a country is that we should be ready.

The Speaker says they released fierce dogs on the Police, and pretty soon, there will be guns against the Police and the people.

He adds a lot of people are enticed to do this due to unemployment opportunities and Fiji’s poverty level.

Ratu Naiqama says it is quick money.

While responding to the Opposition MP’s question, Home Affairs Minister Pio Tikoduadua says the issue of drugs continues to take centre stage in our discussions on how it has affected Fijian communities, especially children, and recently, there has been a spike in drug cases being reported and arrest have been made.

He says they continue as a government to raise awareness on this issue, and his Ministry, the Police and also the Anti-Narcotics Bureau have been going out extensively to the public, conducting awareness on drugs.

Tikoduadua says their teams are not going by themselves but are also assisted by the Vanua, the Church and Civil Society Organizations in creating awareness.

He is also calling on the public, if they know someone is selling or peddling drugs, to inform the authorities.