Local Government Minister Maciu Nalumisa made a good call the other when he urged businesses to invest in the establishment of drug rehabilitation centres in Fiji.
Speaking at the opening of the Sigatoka Coral Coast Festival, Mr Nalumisa said the issue affected young people and that a collaborative effort was needed to fight the crisis.
It’s the way to go!
We can talk about fighting drugs till the cows come home, and still not get things moving. Or we can talk about it, and initiate change! That comes with the political will to make things happen.
Mr Nalumisa said the Coalition Government had also introduced incentives for businesses to invest in rehabilitation efforts.
These include a 13-year tax holiday for the establishment of drug rehabilitation centres, as well as duty-free importation of capital goods required for their setup.
“We are also going to provide a full tax deduction for businesses that donate to any drug rehabilitation centre.
“Whilst we encourage non-governmental organisations, the Government is also exploring options for the setup of such centres.”
The aim, he said, was to create a comprehensive and sustainable approach to address drug addiction in communities.
He also spoke about government initiatives such as the establishment of a Narcotics Bureau within the Ministry of Home Affairs, for which $2million has been allocated in the 2024/2025 National Budget.
The Ministry of Home Affairs, he noted, had also launched the Counter Narcotics Strategy 2023-2028 with a focus on seven strategic areas — demand reduction, supply reduction, harm reduction, legal reform, data collection, establishment of a drug court, and partnerships with international cooperation.
Mr Nalumisa said the issue of addiction required a holistic approach, one which focussed on youth involvement in illicit drugs and criminal activities.
He also shared statistics and said 50 per cent of Fiji’s population was under the age of 34, which showcased the need for targeted programs and support systems that would provide young people with positive opportunities.
Youth unemployment, he said, which was expected to be higher than the national average of 4.3 per cent, contributed to the vulnerability of young people, which made it even more important to invest in education, employment, and rehabilitation programs.
Yet again, we call on the powers that be to stop the talks, and push for rehab centres.
We need them urgently!
Whatever has been raised is encouraging. The challenge now is to get past this first hurdle, and actually put in place centres that are well resourced and facilitated by qualified health professionals.
Yet again we say, the absence of dedicated drug rehabilitation centres in Fiji is a systemic failure!
