Leader of Opposition Hon Matthew Wale has slammed authorities for disregarding ‘copen’ in the dangerous substance list as an amendment under the Dangerous Drug (Amendment) Bill 2025.
Speaking during the Bills & Legislations Committee (BLC) Hearing in Parliament this week, Hon Wale said government authorities negligence on this matter is inexcusable.
“Why is copen not listed as a dangerous substance or drug? Any substance abuse that is threatening the future of this country and its youth must be a national concern for any government,” he said.
Hon Wale probed the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF), and they (RSIPF) explained that copen when tested consists of natural ingredients and is not classified as drugs.
Therefore, people selling or manufacturing copen cannot be charged.
The RSIPF informed the BLC that psychological aspects on how copen affects young people is something the health ministry should consider and include copen as a dangerous substance.
The RSIPF also shared concerns that copen is widely usesd amongst students.
The Opposition Leader expressed disappointment-urging authorities to include copen as a dangerous substance under the current amendment so that police can arrest and charge people selling and manufacturing copen.
“Copen has serious health risks especially on youths and students and we are doing nothing about it,” he told RSIPF during the BLC.
Hon Wale said copen is having an effect on the psychology of our youths and we should not wait another 10 years to address this serious problem.
“Government authorities including the ministry of health and police should be proactive before it gets out of hand,” he said.
Hon Wale has also advised the Law Reform Commission during the BLC to help draft something to rope in copen as part of the amendments to the DDA.
The Opposition Leader has for so long been very vocal on the issue of copen in Parliament and the media but had fallen on deaf ears.
“There appears to be no clear national strategy, no coordinated and sustained interventions, and no urgency from those in authority. All the while, this drug is spreading like wildfire in our communities. We cannot continue to treat this as a minor issue when it is burning away the very fabric and future of our society,” Hon Wale told Parliament in July last year.
“We must protect the next generation. If we continue to allow our young people to fall into addiction and despair, we will all pay the price. The time to act is now.”
- Opposition Press
