Empowering Youth and Uniting Nasinu Through Hands Across Nasinu

A bold new grassroots movement—Hands Across Nasinu—was officially launched yesterday (23 May 2025), aiming to tackle growing concerns around drug abuse, littering, and violence against women, children, and the elderly.

The two-day event seeks to unite the community and foster solidarity for a safer, cleaner, and more compassionate Fiji.

At the launch, Minister for Policing Hon. Ioane Naivalurua stressed the urgency of confronting these issues head-on.

“Years ahead of us, will our children be safer in their schools? Will our homes be more secure? Will unemployment be reduced in Nasinu? These are the challenges we must all carry as we implement this great idea,” said Hon. Naivalurua.

He cited worrying statistics from the National Substance Abuse Advisory Council:

2,200 cases in 2021

2,800 in 2022

3,500 in 2023

These figures, he said, are a wake-up call.

“There is no time for excuses. This scourge is not only here—it’s ahead of us. We are playing a catch-up game. But this is one battle where we cannot afford to fall behind.”

Minister Naivalurua commended the Nasinu Town Council and local residents for spearheading the movement and urged businesses and corporate entities to join the effort.