As mainland Fiji confronts a rising tide of narcotics and substance abuse, community leaders in Rotuma are sounding the alarm over the island’s lack of attention in national drug prevention and security strategies. Reverend Samisoni Motufaga, of the Rotuma Assembly of God Church, has expressed serious concerns regarding the dearth of drug awareness initiatives reaching the island’s remote villages and districts.
“There’s not much drug awareness programs being conducted in Rotuma,” Mr. Motufaga stated, emphasizing a significant gap in the government’s community-focused approach to combat illicit substances. He has cautioned that, without proactive measures, the communities on Rotuma are increasingly at risk of succumbing to the same narcotics challenges that plague urban areas such as Suva and Nadi.
Compounding these issues is a critical shortfall in maritime security. Despite Fiji’s substantial financial commitment to establishing a national maritime security hub, the waters surrounding Rotuma remain largely unmonitored. Mr. Motufaga highlighted that the island’s key patrol vessel is currently out of commission for repairs on the mainland, leaving extensive maritime borders vulnerable to exploitation.
“This leaves the island’s vast borders wide open to international drug trafficking syndicates that authorities warn are increasingly targeting remote jetties and coastlines,” he cautioned. Local leaders are now urgently calling for enhanced efforts to bolster community-based awareness programs alongside improved maritime surveillance to safeguard Rotuma from becoming a hub for illicit drug activities.
The situation underscores the need for a more inclusive approach, ensuring that even remote communities receive the attention and resources necessary to combat the growing threat of drug-related issues. Taking proactive steps now may prevent Rotuma from facing the very challenges that are currently affecting other regions in Fiji.