Pubdate: Mon, 24 Jan 2005
Source: Fiji Times (Fiji)
Copyright: 2005 Fiji Times Limited
Contact:  http://www.fijitimes.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3445
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Cannabis)

FIJIANS 'WORST SEX OFFENDERS'

FIJIANS are the worst offenders of incest and sexual crimes and
marijuana smoking has reached primary school level, a Senate committee
says.

The increase in the use of drugs, in sexual crimes and prostitution is
a major concern for the Senate ad hoc committee which has been set up
to look into these social evils.

Committee member Senator Ponipate Lesavua said their findings were
based on statistics provided to them by police and from other reports
highlighting these social problems.

"Incest is one area that Fijians have outnumbered most other races,"
he said. Apart from this, the Senate committee was told primary school
students have started smoking marijuana, resulting in a marked
increase in the number of drug addicts admitted to the Saint Giles
Hospital.

"Even some primary school students have started sniffing glue," Mr
Lesavua said.

"Even though they may be experimenting, it is still a problem." On
prostitution, the Senate committee was told that more gay people were
getting involved in the local sex industry while Asian immigrants were
involved in a professional set-up with an agent who secured clients.

"All these are age-old crimes that have been in existence for a long
time," Mr Lesavua said.

"We cannot eradicate it, we can only decrease it."

The Senate committee invited all government departments, churches and
civil and welfare organisations to make submissions to it on the issue.

"We're already receiving written submissions from members of the
public about their concerns on the rise of such crimes," Mr Lesavua
said.

After the submissions, the committee will tour districts that have
become synonymous with marijuana growing, use and other crimes.

Mr Lesavua said the committee was aware of the numerous reports
written by ministries and organisations about these social problems
and would be using them as references.

The Senate committee was formed after a resolution was passed in the
Upper House in December.

Senate President Taito Waqavakatoga said the Senate could play its
part in fighting these crimes.

"The Senate committee will really help recognise these areas and look
at the details into how these crimes grow," he said.

The Great Council of Chiefs has also expressed concern over these
problems and its effect on indigenous Fijians. 
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake