Sunday service in a Methodist Church in Fiji. The Methodist Church of Fiji and Rotuma is the largest Christian denomination in Fiji about 36 percent of the total population. (file image) Photo: 123RF / Rafael Ben-Ari
The Methodist Church in Fiji and Rotuma believes the government is unable to address the drug issues in Fiji.
The church is now working with the government and all stakeholders on education and awareness about the impact of drug use on individuals, families, and society in general as a whole.
President Reverend Dr Semisi Turagavou told RNZ Pacific on Wednesday that the issue cannot be handled by the government or Fiji Police alone and needs a whole-of-society approach.
Dr Semisi revealed that the challenge has also affected the church across the country, as some of its young people have resorted to using or selling drugs such as marijuana and methamphetamine, or what is called "ice" on the streets.
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He said the church is reaching out through its Social and Youth departments to work with stakeholders and assisting affected families.
"The Methodist Church is trying her best to assist the government in trying to find ways to combat or handle, especially the drug issues, in the country," Dr Semisi said.
This includes both spiritual and physical interventions - not only praying and fasting, but reaching out to communities.
"The government cannot handle this by itself," he said.
"We are trying to engage with the government and the vanua. In Fiji, when you talk about the church, you are talking about the Methodist Church.
"We are doing our best in working with government agencies in finding ways and solutions to handle the difficult issues. Our young generations are very much entrapped in drugs and the church is doing its best."
President of the Methodist Church of Fiji and Rotuma, Rev Dr Semisi Turagavou, middle, is flanked by Methodist Church of New Zealand vice president Rev Peter Norman, left, and Methodist Church of New Zealand president Ms Te Aroha Rountree, at the Tarnaki Wesley Parish in Wellington. Photo: Taranaki Wesley Parish
He said the drug issue has multifaceted challenges.
"In our weekly and monthly meetings, we are advised that some of our members are entrapped in the drug issues, and we are working on being practical in trying to deal with the issues," he said.
Fiji has recently recorded an increase in the trade and use of drugs, especially 'ice', with a number of outstanding cases before the courts in Suva, Nadi and Lautoka.
Dr Semisi said it is critical that solutions to address the challenge get down to the grassroots level.
Church focuses on pastoral care for migrant workers
Meanwhile, Dr Semisi disucssed the continuing increase of Fijians moving to Australia and New Zealand for work. He said the church wants pastors be recruited to serve the workers when they move.
He said Pacific church leaders discussed this issue in Sydney three weeks ago.
"We want pastors or spiritual leaders to go with groups or be appointed to be based where they are going," he said.
"We need someone to accompany the groups who can be a spiritual counsellor, who can give counselling and is spiritually matured to help them.
"We from the Pacfic need that."
He said this is something the church is going to put forward to Fiji's coalition government.
Rev Dr Semisi Turagavou receiving a whales tooth in the traditionally Fijian ceremony of welcome accorded to him by the Koroturaga Wesley Fijian church in Kapiti last Sunday. Photo: Koroturaga Fijian Wesley
Another option is working with church groups in both Australia and New Zealand to appoint spiritual leaders to support the workers, "standing in the gap".
"We need to work together and build church to church links and partnerships.
"There are already spiritual counsellors here and in Australia. If we are able to get those partnerships then that would really assist."
Dr Semisi said they are in discussions with their partner churches on the issue and hope to establish partnerships.
He was a guest at the launch of a new Fijian Methodist church community in Kapiti, where Fijian workers are now based working in the RSE scheme.
Dr Semisi was invited by the Methodist Church of New Zealand to to attend the church's 2024 Conference, which was held at the Taranaki Wesley Parish over the past week.