rp21 situational analysis - Pacific Health Voices

Situational analysis of drug and alcohol issues and responses in the Pacific
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5.5 Local responses
Since 2003 there has been a strong focus
in Kiribati on transparent and accountable
government. In November 2003 Parliament
repealed the Beretitenti (Immunities
from Civil Proceedings) Act; this move was
associated with discussion on the development
of a Leadership Code in 2004. At the
same time the Government focused on a
number of key concerns including what was
described as a culture of lawlessness and
anti- establishment, particularly under-age
drinking, sex-related crimes and prostitution,
in addition to security problems on the
outer islands. 367 One of the key strategies
for responding to these issues focused on
strengthening partnerships between national
institutions and civil society.
In 2005 a National Leadership Convention
was convened in a Western conference
style. 368 Among the issues considered were
reforms to strengthen police services, including
community engagement. Alcohol abuse
was listed as a major challenge, with a call
for collective community action. The impact
of any progress towards this objective requires
further investigation.
Legislation
Under the Traffic Act 2002 it is an offence to
drive under the influence of alcohol or any
other drug, including provisions for breath
analysis and blood test procedures. 369 Penalties
include fines and potential imprisonment
for third and subsequent offences. The Liquor
Ordinance 1973 and the Manufacture of
Alcohol Act 1997 prohibit consumption of
alcohol or its sale to people under the age of
21 years. 370 A 2005 survey reported that the
responsible organisations, the police, Island
Councils and the Ministry of Health were not
enforcing legal restrictions on alcohol and
tobacco sales. 371
The 2005 Leadership Convention called for
a review of the Alcohol Ordinance to include
provisions on alcohol-free zones surrounding
school areas, putting a time limit of 9pm
on the sale of alcohol, restricting the sale of
alcoholic toddy to allocated bars and not
from homes, and raising the minimum age
limit for consumption to 21 years. 372 Higher
taxes on alcohol and cigarettes were also
advocated as well as a call for a limit on
alcohol consumption at government functions.
In 2006 a review of the Alcohol Ordinance
was being prepared for tabling in
367 M. Baaro (2006), Innovative strategies for resource mobilization, Regional Forum on Reinventing
Government in the Pacific, Nadi, Fiji, 20–22 February 2006; the Beretitenti (Immunities from Civil
Proceedings) Act was first passed in 1997, highlighting the significance of repealing the Act.
368 This is not the traditional ‘maneaba’ meeting style which limits who can speak.
369 Traffic Act 2002, ss.39–40.
370 Above, fn.349.
371 Ibid.
372 Baaro above, fn.367.