A grieving mother, Melesi Ratoto, has made a heartfelt appeal to avoid drugs following the tragic death of her 26-year-old son, Ratunaisa Noeh Bill Vatunaruku, who passed away from complications related to substance abuse just two weeks ago. Ms. Ratoto laid her son to rest in Votualevu, Nadi, last Wednesday.
Determined to prevent others from experiencing her pain, Ms. Ratoto is now advocating against illicit drugs. Doctors informed her that her son suffered extensive internal damage due to excessive drug use, particularly to his kidneys and liver.
“Before you find yourself trapped with no way out like my son, please flee from drugs and avoid the places or friends that lead to death,” she urged, her voice heavy with emotion.
Despite providing love and guidance, Ms. Ratoto’s son chose a different path that ultimately led him to drug use and criminal activities. Reflecting on her struggles as a single mother since her husband’s death two years ago, she conveyed her anguish over her son’s choices and the pain of witnessing his decline.
She described how drugs had taken a toll on her son’s life, recounting instances where family members mentioned he resorted to using needles. “He would do things that weren’t normal—walking out of the room without clothes, lost in his own world. He’d sleep for days, leaving me worried. At times, we had to call the Police because of his behavior,” she said, recalling the fear that gripped her family.
The heart-wrenching moment came when her son fell critically ill, leading to a frantic rush to the hospital where he was unable to speak. “I cried seeing my son like that. Losing a son to drugs is an unimaginable pain. God has His plans, and perhaps this can serve as a testimony to youths and anyone tempted by hard drugs,” she stated.
At her son’s funeral, relatives aimed to raise awareness among parents and guardians about keeping children safe from drug abuse. Last week, Assistant Minister for Women, Children and Social Protection, Sashi Kiran, announced that eight wheelbarrow boys in Nadi had died from alleged drug overdoses this year. She highlighted efforts to provide consultations and training for these individuals to assist with de-addiction and reintegration into society.
Dr. Luisa Cikamatana, Chief Medical Advisor for the Ministry of Health, acknowledged the harsh reality of substance abuse in Fiji. Although she did not provide specific statistics on young deaths linked to drugs, she stressed the severe risks associated with introducing harmful substances into the bloodstream.
“Mixing drugs can lead to severe reactions, complicating diagnosis and treatment. We must conduct thorough assessments for every case to identify toxins in the blood,” she explained. Dr. Cikamatana also noted rising cases of HIV and other infections connected to drug use, affirming the government’s commitment to harm reduction and implementing anti-narcotics strategies.