Fiji launches Counter Narcotics Strategy 2023-2028

It is a milestone achievement for the country today as Deputy Prime Minister and Acting Minister for Home Affairs and Immigration Professor Biman Prasad launched the National Counter Narcotics Strategy 2023-2028.

While speaking at the launch at the Fiji National University Nasinu Campus, Professor Prasad says the illicit drug trafficking business has evolved dramatically over the years and recently, Fiji has experienced a range of security challenges that have threatened the balance and prosperity of our nation, ranging from both traditional and non-traditional security threats such as human trafficking, natural disasters and of course COVID19 pandemic that swept through the globe.

He says these events have had serious economic, social, and political consequences for the country, and have created an environment that is conducive to criminality, including drug trafficking.

He adds these challenges have been exacerbated by the growing illicit drug business in the country.

The Deputy Prime Minister says illicit drug trafficking has become a major challenge for Fiji's national security and the drug trade in Fiji is driven by a combination of factors, including the country's strategic location in the Pacific, poverty, and corruption to name a few.

He says Fiji serves as a transit point for drug trafficking organizations that transport drugs from the Asian region to Australia and New Zealand which are key international markets for illicit drugs. Professor Prasad says the illicit drug trade in Fiji has also been fueled by our own growing drug addiction problem, which has led to an increase in drug-related crime and violence.

He further says the drug trade in Fiji erodes the very social fabric of our community, resulting in a devastating impact on individuals and families who are affected by drug addiction and drug-related crimes.

The Acting Minister says this strategic document lays out a whole-of-nation approach in this fight against illicit narcotics and is a significant step for the country, consolidating all our efforts to address the drug problem the country is currently experiencing.

Professor Prasad says the Strategy will be operationalised through a governance Framework which comprises the Counter Narcotics Committee (CNC) and Coordination and Steering Committee (CSC) that reports directly to the Cabinet through the National Security Council (NSC).

He adds Government agencies, the private sector, civil society organizations, NGOs, and academic institutions will collaborate within this framework.

The key strategic pillars covered in the Counter Narcotics Strategy framework include demand reduction which emphasizes prevention efforts, targeting children, young people, and communities through evidence-based initiatives; supply reduction, which focuses on preventing and countering illicit drug activities to ensure safety and security; harm reduction will aim to provide treatment and recovery pathways while proactively reducing high-risk behaviour associated with drug use; and legal reform which proposes reviews and enhancements to existing laws and mechanisms to effectively address the drug problem. The strategic focus areas also encompass data collection, establishment of a Drug Court, and partnership/international cooperation.

The Ministry for Home Affairs and Immigration says the Counter Narcotics Strategy represents a comprehensive approach to address Fiji's drug-related challenges, emphasizing prevention, treatment, and collaboration across sectors.

It says through effective implementation and continuous evaluation, Fiji aims to mitigate the adverse impact of illicit narcotics on its citizens and society.

The Strategy will be operationalised through a governance Framework which comprises of the Counter Narcotics Committee and Coordination and Steering Committee that reports to Cabinet through the National Security Council.

Government agencies, private sectors, civil society organizations, NGOs, and academic institutions will collaborate within this framework.

A National Counter Narcotics Action Plan for July 2024 to July 2025 has been developed to operationalize the strategy, subject to annual review.

This year’s theme for International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking is The Evidence Is Clear: Invest in Prevention”.