Drugs is a contributing factor in violence and criminal activities – Vanawalu

As serious concerns are being raised on the prevalence of drugs in our communities, according to reports, drugs is a contributing factor in violence and criminal activities.

Assistant Minister for Education, Iliesa Vanawalu highlighted this to the students gathered to commemorate the International Day Against Drugs and Illicit Trafficking at Suva Grammar School.

Vanawalu says reports from Police indicate that people who commit crimes are at times under the influence of drugs.

He says Police are arresting drug dealers and users nearly every day on either green or white drugs where marijuana related cases in 2022 was 1193 and increased to 1483 cases in 2023.

The Assistant Minister says methamphetamine, cocaine and heroin cases have increased from 1,236 in 2022 to 1,615 in 2023.

Vanawalu says the justice system has been put under immense pressure due to the increase in drug abuse.

He says research has proven that people who use or abuse drugs and illicit substances suffer from chronic health problems which affects the lungs, heart, liver, kidney and the brain.

The Assistant Minister says the Ministry of Health also highlighted the relationship of drugs and HIV, adding in 2022 there were 275 HIV cases reported and in 2023 the cases increased to 415.

He says this alarming increase was suspected due to the use of bluetoothing, where 4 to 5 people were sharing one needle and the chances of infecting others with HIV is higher.