Option to have a Drug Rehab Centre outside Viti Levu

The National Drugs Taskforce which is headed by the Ministry of Defence and other stakeholders, is currently looking at the possibility of setting up a Drug Rehabilitation Centre at a remote location outside Viti Levu.

While speaking during the Leadership Fiji Virtual National Dialogue on Substance Abuse, the Manager Police for the Policy Section of the Ministry of Defence, Jioji Dumukoro revealed that they are currently working with a NGO and they have offered a piece of land for the establishment of the rehabilitation centre.

Dumukoro says he has sought the view of the Permanent Secretary for Health.

He says the Health Ministry has endorsed the National Drugs Taskforce to explore the proposed site which is located outside Viti Levu.

Dumukoro says Police have also proposed a Fusion Centre where all information is at this centre and analysts provide trends on drug movement within the Pacific and outside of Fiji.

He says last year some of the cocaine bars were found washed ashore in the outer islands and this is an indication that the Pacific is used to transport drugs to Australia and New Zealand.

He also says that the 3 sub-committees within the taskforce are looking at supply reduction, demand reduction and harm reduction.

The supply reduction is spearheaded by the Police. They are in the process of establishing a Narcotics Bureau that reports directly to the Police Commissioner, the Minister for Defence and the Office of the Prime Minister.

The other members of this committee are Customs, Government Pharmacy, Ministry of Agriculture, Biosecurity Authority, Immigration Department and the Fiji Navy.

The committee on demand reduction is headed by the National Substance Abuse Council and is also looking at scholastic programmes and working with the Ministry of Youth.

The harm reduction committee is spearheaded by the Ministry of Health. Their main focus is counseling, rehab and reintegration.

The Health Ministry is working with NGOs and faith based organisation in addressing these aspects and trying to identify a suitable site for the rehab centre.

A national narcotics strategy that outlines the outcomes that will be achieved over the next 5 years will also be tabled to cabinet for approval soon.

The Leadership Fiji virtual dialogue looked at The Laucala Document after the 1st National Dialogue last year and Chairman, William Parkinson says the reviewed action plan will be confirmed by next week.