Once a safe space for women in Labasa is now a hotspot for drug users.
Staff members of femLINKpacific have been finding syringes and bongs (empty bottles used as a water pipe to smoke marijuana and other drugs), and other drug-related paraphernalia: lying on the ground at the back of their office.
They have also witnessed men between the ages of 18 and 25 throughout the day hanging around their backyard and using the implements.
The office is located within the St Thomas Anglican Church compound, beside St Mary’s Primary School on one end of Labasa Town.
In an interview with this newspaper, femLINKpacific programs associate media Petero Cagilaba said the first set of syringes and bongs were found behind the office on September 29.
Since then, staff members have feared for their safety and the wellbeing of students of St Mary’s Primary School.
Cagilaba said the issue needed to be addressed urgently.
“Two months later, the trend continues. I believe the Fiji Police Force has done nothing to address the issue.
“We continue to see groups of young men behind our office, they go in and out of the premises.
“I call on the Fiji Police Force to conduct foot patrol on the streets. There’s a need for this as there’s a hike in illicit activities in this town.”
Divisional Police Commander Northern SSP Kemueli Baledrokadroka said they had attended to the matter.
He said since no one was at the scene, they collected the syringes and bongs.
“Police officers and femLINK staff exchanged numbers,” he said.
“They have been added to the Town Business Viber Group.
“They have been assured that frequent patrols to the area will be done.
“If police see anything in the area from the Town Business Viber Group, they will come around to ensure the safety of everyone,” he said.
However, Cagilaba said he was upset with the Fiji Police Force as it took them two hours to respond and record their statement, adding reports lodged by women’s organisations should never be taken lightly by the Fiji Police Force.
- Nacanieli Tuilevuka is a freelance journalist based in the North.
