The revelation that drug dealers are adding crushed mothballs to methamphetamine and cocaine to increase the quantity is cause for concern.
Community-based juvenile worker Masilina Laisani Singh raised the issue.
The end result, she believes, would be fake drugs. Side effects, she said, were just as dangerous as using illicit substances with a higher purity level.
It makes sense that there would be some concern.
Who does this anyway?
Surely there would be health risks and concern. In saying that, however, we wonder whether there is even concern over that in the first place. We will consider that in the face of revelations that it is happening.
It casts a rather damaging view of those behind the sale of illicit drugs.
It shows a lack of concern which is probably not shocking any more. It is a concern and sadly reflects a lack of consideration for the wellbeing of others.
To add to the volume, Ms Singh said, pushers crush mothballs and add this to methamphetamine or ice to make up the volume to increase quantity.
“It’s doing more damage. That’s what they call fake and people are desperate, because they don’t have enough money to pay for the next drug or pill, so they actually resort to this.”
Another form of drug use, she revealed, was chroming, which she said, is practised in Australia.
It is connected to deodorants or aerosol spray cans, and plastic bags.
Ms Singh believes there should be harsher penalties for those targeting vulnerable members of the public to peddle drugs.
The Commissioner of Police, Rusiate Tudravu said tests have confirmed the presence of camphor and this is indicative of low-grade unprofessional cooking of methamphetamine in a small scale, as well as the use of other harmful chemicals.
Again, we say this is a concern and we urgently need to be dealing with this.
And again, we look forward to the powers that be confirming the set-up of rehabilitation centres around the country. They need to include medical experts.
There has to be some urgency placed on getting these centres up and running.
There has to be some hope for addicts who are trying to get rid of the habit. They need to be assisted to come clean. It will be good for them and for the country in the long run!
We have a challenge before us. We need a united front to deal with this!
This is a national challenge. And it demands a united response.
We need collaboration between government agencies, community organisations, healthcare professionals, and the public. We need awareness campaigns, early intervention strategies, and community support structures. Most importantly, there has to be a sense of urgency!
