Growing Concerns Over Youth Loitering, Substance Abuse, and Begging in Suva

Concerned citizens in Suva are raising alarms about increasing youth loitering and disruptive behaviors such as smoking marijuana, sniffing glue, and using illegal substances. Additionally, residents have reported a rise in beggars using manipulative tactics like pretending to lose transport money or addressing strangers as family members to solicit help. These behaviors have created discomfort among shoppers and business owners, who say they deter customers and affect the public atmosphere.

Assistant Commissioner of Police Operations Livai Driu has urged business owners to remain patient as police and the Department of Social Welfare work daily to address the issue by removing people from the streets and increasing patrols. He emphasized that the root of these issues begins at home, stressing that parents play a crucial role in shaping their children’s behavior and values. Questions about long-term solutions have been directed to the Ministry of Women, Children, and Social Protection, but a response is still pending.

[Source: FijiVillage]