Pubdate: FRI, 30 Jan 2005
Source: Fiji Times (Fiji)
Copyright: 2005 Fiji Times Limited
Contact:  http://www.fijitimes.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3445

SENATORS BATTLE DRUG SCOURGE

REDUCING or eliminating the consumption of drugs is the aim of the Senate
Select Committee set up to investigate illicit drugs, drug-related crimes,
drug-related sexual offences and prostitution.

Chairman Senator Viliame Navoka said they started receiving submissions last
Monday from stakeholders and would continue for the next three weeks.

"We have already received submissions from the Solicitor-General's Office,
the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, Commissioner of Police,
the Government Analyst at Koronivia, the Fiji Law Reform Commission and
Saint Giles Hospital. We will get submissions from government departments
and ministries that have an interest or concern for drugs like the Social
Welfare Department, ministries of education, health and youth," he said.

Mr Navoka said they would analyse all submissions before taking a tour of
drug-growing areas in the country.

"Places like Nadroga/Navosa, particularly the Navosa Highlands, Tukavesi and
Tunuloa on Vanua Levu, and the West and maybe some of the islands like
Kadavu. "But we will have to decide on that."

Mr Navoka said at this stage they could not identify who the cultivators or
people involved in its farming were.

He said the committee would need co-operation to get the information it
needed.

He said he had moved the motion in Senate's December session and it was
approved in the same month: "In order to investigate the causes of the use
of drugs, why it was being grown, supplied and consumed," he said.

Mr Navoka said there were seven members of the committee -- two from the
Government side: Senators Mitieli Bulanauca and Adi Litia Cakobau, two
Labour Senators Doctor Ratu Epeli Nailatikau, Ponipate Lesavua and three
Great Council of Chiefs members, Adi Koila Nailatikau, Ratu Kiniviliame
Taukeinikoro and himself.

Assemblies of God executive Reverend Pita Cili said the church had been
doing its part in trying to reach out to drug users, seeking divine
intervention in their lives to see that they did away with that life style.

"It is good to see a committee has been set up to look into the issues."

United General Party leader, Mick Beddoes said the tour drug growing areas
like Nadroga/Navosa and Tunuloa was of value only if the resolutions were
accepted by government and enacted into legislation.

"If these resolutions are enacted in a legislation and become a law, then
the trip is of value," he said.

Fiji Labour Party leader, Mahendra Chaudhary said the committee should not
waste too much time and money taking tours. "It's a waste of money and time
to be taking tours like that when enough statistics are available with
governmental departments and non-government organisations," Mr Chaudhry
said. 
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