In an attempt to reduce the harm that the illicit substance of kwaso causes to communities throughout the country, the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) is rolling out a Kwaso Action Plan under the umbrella of its Crime Prevention Strategy.
“The Strategic Kwaso Action Plan is a national plan that aims to reduce the harm that kwaso causes especially to the youth in our communities. It was designed in January 2018 by using an internationally recognized problem solving model call SARA – Scanning, Analysis, Response and Assessment,” says Assistant Commissioner (AC) National Capital and Crime Prevention, Simpson Pogeava.
AC Pogeava explains: “The scanning process was completed in 2017 by talking with police officers, non-government organisations, government departments and donor agencies. This process revealed that out of all of the illicit substances available in Solomon Islands, kwaso is causing the most harm in our communities. It also gave us a deep understanding of why people involve themselves in kwaso.”
He adds: “Our strategic plan sits over the top of provincial kwaso plans as each province has difference experiences with kwaso so it is important that police in the provinces, local communities and their stakeholders localize solutions that fit them.”
“A key component of our plan is prevention. Our enforcement approach has shown that our officers all over the Solomon Islands are doing a fantastic job in conducting successful raids and prosecutions. But prevention is the key in keeping kwaso out of our communities. This aligns directly with our Crime Prevention Strategy,” says AC Pogeava.
He reveals: “Some of our key prevention activities with our stakeholders are aimed at creating better access to employment, training, education and sporting activities, especially for our youth. We are working with stakeholders who have specialist knowledge and expertise in these areas so that we can have a positive impact on the kwaso problem.”
“The RSIPF is committed more than ever to reducing the harm that kwaso causes in our communities. But we also need the support of everyone to combat this epidemic. We must work collectively, and not in isolation from one another to achieve the greatest impact possible,” says AC Pogeava.
As part of the implementation of the Strategic Kwaso Action Plan, AC Pogeava accompanied by the Assistant Commissioner Provincial Joseph Manelugu with officers from the National Community Policing Department and advisors from the Solomon Islands Police Support Program (SIPSP) have started travelling to the provinces to help set up their provincial kwaso action plans.
The team is also working together with partners to design initiatives to address the kwaso issue under the Kwaso Action Plan
The Kwaso Action Plan is supported by New Zealand Police through the SIPSP working together with the RSIPF.