Disowning or banishing people involved in drugs does not solve the problem and only shifts it elsewhere, says Lau Provincial Council chairman Ratu Meli Saubulinayau.
While some villages in a number of provinces have chosen to expel individuals caught up in drug activity, Ratu Meli warned this approach fails to address the root causes of addiction.
“From my end, that is not the solution,” he said.
“By disowning someone, you are just moving the problem from your village to another.”
Ratu Meli said the real solution was in treatment, understanding, and support, not exclusion.
“We need to get that person treated and find out why they went into drugs in the first place.
“In some cases, the problem is a lack of love and care — we are not looking after our relatives or taking responsibility for them.”
He added that communities have become overly focused on money and material values, often neglecting relationships and responsibilities.
“That is why people are being chased out without the problem actually being solved.”
Ratu Meli urged communities to adopt a more compassionate and constructive approach to break the cycle of drug abuse.
