A building is all that an international NGO needs to restore the lives of Fijian drug addicts.
And it is calling on Government, businesses, churches and community organisations to step forward and provide what could house Fiji’s first fully operational drug rehabilitation centre.
Drug-Free World ambassador Jessica Brown and the CEO of the Drug Education and Rehabilitation Foundation (Fiji), Rev Simione Tugi, say they are ready to set up and operate a fully funded rehabilitation facility, provided a suitable building was made available.
Speaking to this newspaper, Ms Brown said the organisation represented an international volunteer-based non-profit that worked across countries to tackle drug-related issues through prevention education and rehabilitation.
“We’ve been here five times in the past 10 to 12 months, trying to raise awareness about the urgent need for a drug rehabilitation centre in Fiji,” Ms Brown said.
“We’re offering to establish the centre ourselves. All we need is a building, no catch involved.”
The proposed rehabilitation model is based on the internationally recognised NARCONON program, which has operated for more than 50 years and is affiliated with the Church of Scientology in terms of technology and funding.
However, Ms Brown clarified that the rehabilitation program itself was not religiously motivated.
“We will get offshore funding and handle every aspect of the operation, training, staffing, and program delivery.
“We just need a facility to house it, and we can begin operations within a matter of months.”
The initiative has received support from the Fiji Council of Churches through the Rev Tugi, who has been actively involved in promoting the project and is now their chief executive officer.
Ms Brown noted that education and rehabilitation were two connected components of their model, which began with public outreach and prevention programs.
According to the group, they have engaged with the Government on multiple occasions over the past year, but progress has been slow.
“While they’ve shown interest in the concept of a rehabilitation centre, implementation is taking time.”
The group has also consulted with community leaders, clans, and NGOs to rally broader support for the project and address what they describe as a “worsening national crisis”.
Ms Brown said the exact funding details would be determined once a facility was secured and planning begins.
“Our aim is to rehabilitate not just individuals, but the wider society, especially our children.”
