Rev. Kolivuso calls for love, not condemnation, in Fiji’s drug crisis

A challenge to “put our money where our mouth is” has been stressed by Reverend Manasa Kolivuso as he calls on communities, churches, NGOs and government to invest time, resources and compassion into addressing Fiji’s escalating drug crisis.

Speaking during the National Talanoa Session on Responding to Illicit Drugs in Fiji: Renewing Commitment Through Action in Lami, the Senior Pastor of the CMF International Church says tackling addiction requires more than policy discussions, it demands personal and financial commitment.

Kolivuso says most addicts he has worked with are victims of circumstances beyond their control, often linked to broken families, rejection and social stigma.

Insert: Kolivuso - see them with love

He shared his experience of working directly with eleven young people, eight men and three women, who were taken off the streets following a week-long drug awareness campaign conducted last year with support from government agencies, the Vanua and church leaders.

One young man had been homeless for four months after being expelled from his village under a by-law targeting those involved in drugs.

Unable to return to his mother’s village because of stigma, he ended up roaming the streets of Nausori.

The church opened its compound as a temporary refuge, though Kolivuso admitted caring for individuals battling addiction was one of the biggest challenges of his life.

He witnessed severe withdrawal symptoms first-hand and said traditional rules and policies were not always workable in such circumstances.

He recounted an emotional moment when the same young man questioned his worth and purpose in life, highlighting the deep psychological wounds many addicts carry.

Among the group assisted was a young woman who said she had been issued a domestic violence restraining order in her own village due to her involvement in drugs.

Forced into town and homelessness, she turned to prostitution to feed her addiction.

Rev. Kolivuso says the common factor among the eleven individuals was the breakdown of the family unit.

He says another man who had been separated from his wife and whose three children were placed under Social Welfare care has reunited with his family and is now employed and supporting them.

The week-long awareness campaign cost the church $41,000, partly funded through sponsorship.

Rev. Kolivuso says there are plans to renovate a vacant church property to create a dedicated space for recovering addicts.

He is urging societies to respond with compassion rather than condemnation.

He says if we do not reach out with love and compassion and be prepared to invest in the lives of these people, we will never be able to solve this problem.