Sabeto Village chiefs have taken their own initiative in eradicating drug dealing and usage in the area, and set up a Police committee within the village made up of ex Police and military officers to conduct patrols.
Drug Free World Fiji Founder, Kalesi Volatabu says this is the brilliant initiative of the Tui Sabeto and the Turaga ni Koro, as they take ownership in combating and preventing the devastating effects of illicit drugs in the village; and especially on the lives of the individuals, families and the overall vuvale.
While attending the talanoa sessions in the village, the Turaga Ni Koro indicated that during the first 3 weeks of implementation of this plan, they faced a few difficulties, however as the weeks progressed the villagers became compliant and followed the direction from their higher chiefs.
The committee members are conducting regular house to house awareness on the changes and any developments.
They also attend to each entry way from 9pm each night to check no movements in and out of the village.
This started as a result of many vehicles coming into the village at the odd hours of the night; from midnight to 4am on a daily basis.
Needles were also being found at the front of the driveway into the village. There were also too many new people seen in the village, and the people also saw many car chases into the village.
According to the village committee, each child has to be in their house by 9pm each night.
The committee is aware that children were being used as mules or runners.
If children are found to be out of the house after 9pm, they are taken back to the homes and parents are spoken to.
If someone is found to be selling illicit drugs, the Police are called, and they will be evicted from the village and banned for 3 years.
Volatabu confirms that Drug Free World Fiji will be returning to Sabeto Village to conduct talanoa sessions with the youths, children and families and set up Drug Free Ambassadors for the village.
To date, Namosi and Sabeto has implemented this strategy.
There are plans for other villages in the West to implement the same initiative in the coming weeks.
