While mainland Fiji grapples with a surge in narcotics and substance abuse, community leaders on Rotuma say the island has been largely overlooked in national drug prevention and security strategies.
Reverend Samisoni Motufaga of the Rotuma Assembly of God Church expressed concern over the absence of drug awareness initiatives reaching the island’s villages and districts.
“There’s not much drug awareness programs being conducted in Rotuma,” Mr Motufaga said, highlighting a gap in the government’s community-focused strategy to combat illicit substances.
He warned that without preventive measures, Rotuma’s communities are increasingly vulnerable to the same narcotics trade affecting urban centres such as Suva and Nadi.
Adding to the concern is a lack of maritime security. Despite Fiji’s multi-million-dollar investment in a national maritime security hub, Rotuma’s waters remain largely unmonitored.
Mr Motufaga noted that the island’s primary patrol vessel has been sidelined, sent to the mainland for repairs, leaving vast borders exposed.
“This leaves the island’s vast borders wide open to international drug trafficking syndicates that authorities warn are increasingly targeting remote jetties and coastlines.”
Local leaders are calling for urgent action to strengthen both community-based awareness programs and maritime surveillance to protect Rotuma from becoming a target for illicit drug operations.
