Harmful drugs
The Fiji Times news with pictures of teenage students at the Suva Bus Station (FT 24/7) is a major wake-up call for all education stakeholders, parents, religious leaders, community leaders and security forces. It’s a great concern for the national and Security Substance Drug Abuse Council to get down to the root of this problem, including primary schools, as it has been ignored at all levels, even worse than COVID-19 issues. Many of the reps we hear in the news of legalising this under existing laws, I feel we should work towards prevention, not legalisation, in this ever-rising cost of living crisis. Still socialise without drinking. Relax in talanoa sessions with Fiji national traditional drink kava or Fiji spring water, green coconut drinks, soft drinks or even home food. Drug abuse prevention starts with parents at home. Children do what they see. Charity begins at home. Tahir Ali, Hamilton, New Zealand
A loss to Fiji
As spokesman for the pensioners of 2012, I add our voices to the mourning over the passing of former Permanent Secretary for the Civil Service Parmesh Chand. We will always value the endorsement he gave to us in the latter part of 2024 when we were continuing our battle for justice from the Fiji National Provident Fund. It had cut our pensions, despite the legal contracts we had in place. Many of those reductions were severe. Mr Chand had been chair of the FNPF from 2009 to about May 2010, at a time when the Fund was considering moving against us. When we approached him seeking his support, Mr Chand indicated his regret for the original position he took. He explained publicly he had to contend with the reality of what the FNPF planned. He then told the people of Fiji that he owed us an apology for his original stance, and for the lateness of his statement. His declaration was the action of a man big enough to acknowledge the injustice of what had happened. Meanwhile our efforts for a resolution from the FNPF carry on. We extend our deepest sympathy to Mr Chand’s family. He is not only a loss to them. He is a loss to Fiji. May he rest in peace. Ross McDonald, Chair, Core Group 2012 Pensioners’ Committee, Ratu Sukuna Rd, Suva
A few doors away!
A few doors away from a Martintar hardware shop was a collection of squashed and empty alcohol drink cans, early on Sunday morning, July 27, 2025. Close by there were a few more empty drink cans and bottles. It is indicatively clear some numbers of our community have absolutely no respect for the law and, certainly no fear of our police officers. Drinking in public is a common occurrence which appears to be totally acceptable. Urinating in public places is a norm, these days. So sad, indeed. Shameful too. Valuable dollars wasted drinking alcohol in public, denies that dollar needed for a loaf of bread for family breakfast … thus the increase in poverty levels. I understand our police officers cannot be everywhere at the same time. Equally so, Namaka Police Station has an acute shortage of adequate police manpower to effectively make the presence physically felt on our streets immediately after our noisy nightclubs close at 1am. It is also clear, noise pollution emanating from our nightclubs cannot be curtailed. Are nightclubs supposed to be properly sound-proofed? Is this a pre-requisite? Who provides oversight? These are pertinent questions. Answers please. Can the Wester Division Liquor Tribunal throw some light? Ronnie Chang, Martintar, Nadi
