Fiji’s Minister for Policing, Iowane Naivalurua, has strongly countered claims that the nation has capitulated in the battle against illicit drugs. During the National Talanoa Session on Responding to Illicit Drugs in Fiji, he urged stakeholders to focus on proactive strategies and dismiss negative commentary that he deemed as “armchair strategies.”
Naivalurua encouraged participants to stay committed and not be swayed by pessimistic views, emphasizing a collective responsibility to tackle the issue at hand. “There’s a lot of pessimists out there. I don’t belong to that group, and I hope you don’t belong to that group too,” he stated, reinforcing his belief in the ongoing efforts to combat drug-related challenges.
The minister criticized narratives suggesting Fiji has already lost the war on drugs, asserting that such views do not align with the current realities. He acknowledged that while the country faces significant challenges, these should not be interpreted as signs of defeat. “Yes, we may have lost a few small battles here and there, but we now have a new momentum,” he noted. “We are focusing on a new direction. Fiji has not lost the drug war.”
Naivalurua also dismissed comparisons with notorious drug-producing countries such as Mexico and Colombia, underlining that Fiji is not in the same situation as these nations. He called for unity and action among those involved in drug enforcement and prevention efforts, cautioning against the draining influence of negative commentary.
The session gathered various government agencies, community leaders, and partners, aiming to enhance collaboration and maintain momentum against the rising threat of illicit drugs in Fiji. Naivalurua’s message underscores the importance of perseverance and unity in combating drug-related issues, with an optimistic outlook on the nation’s efforts to reclaim its stance in this ongoing fight.