rp21 situational analysis - Pacific Health Voices

12.4 Licit drug trends
Alcohol
Media reports suggest that alcohol remains
one of the main drugs of concern in the
Solomon Islands. 704 Reports of officials drinking
in government vehicles have also been
made, in addition to concerns related to alcohol
consumption among RAMSI police officers.
705 These reports contribute to tension
locally, with two Samoan police officers involved
in a fatal car accident in which they
hit and killed a local woman. 706 Treatment
of officers in such a context creates tension,
with the woman’s family demanding compensation.
707 Reporting of further incidents
involving Tongan police officers consuming
alcohol or kwaso on duty have added to
tensions. 708 There are internal investigation
and disciplinary processes where officers are
involved in misconduct.
Other
As noted previously, tobacco and betel are
not a focus of this analysis. However, it
bears reporting that the Solomon Islands,
like the majority of the PICTs, has recognised
tobacco as an issue and begun to implement
responses, such as signing up to the Framework
Convention on Tobacco Control. 709 Betel
and kava are also consumed in the Solomon
Islands but alcohol and cannabis appear most
often as the primary drugs of concern.
147
704 R. Lenga (2009), Melanesia in review: issues and events, 2008: Solomon Islands.
The Contemporary Pacific, 21(2): 373–380. Available at: (accessed November 2008); views expressed in this article
were confirmed by the key informant.
705 Top cop in Solomon Islands suspended over alleged inappropriate behaviour, Radio New
Zealand International, 25 June 2009. Available at: ; Solomons Prime Minister cleared of drunk driving, Solomon
Islands Broadcasting Corporation, 28 October 2008. Available at: .
706 Samoan PM says criminal charges possible over RAMSI accident, Radio New Zealand
International, 11 July 2008. Available at: (accessed December 2008).
707 RAMSI facing compensation demands after traffic accident kills young woman in Homiara, Radio
New Zealand International, 15 June 2008. Available at: (accessed April 2009).
708 Tongan soldiers in alleged brawl with drunk Solomon Islands youths, Radio New
Zealand International, 1 November 2007, available at: ; In Solomon Islands RAMSI says sorry for brawl allegedly involved
Tongan soldiers, Radio New Zealand International, 12 November 2007, available at:
.
709 See Appendix 18.3: Pacific participation in United Nations conventions and treaties.
Solomon Islands