A grieving mother, Melesi Ratoto, is urging people to stay away from drugs after the tragic death of her 26-year-old son, Ratunaisa Noeh Bill Vatunaruku, who passed away due to complications from drug abuse just two weeks ago. Ms. Ratoto laid her son to rest in Votualevu, Nadi, last Wednesday.
Determined to make a difference, she has become an advocate against illicit drugs, hoping to prevent others from experiencing a similar loss. Medical professionals informed Ms. Ratoto that her son’s extensive drug use had severely harmed 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 implored with deep emotion.
Having witnessed the harsh realities of her son’s addiction, Ms. Ratoto shared her experiences candidly. She faced the challenges of raising her children alone after her husband’s passing two years ago.
“Despite all the love and advice I gave Naisa, he chose his own path. He was a child who constantly tested my love and patience,” she reflected. “I often wondered what I did wrong that led him to criminal activities and drugs. No matter where he went, I never stopped praying for him, until the day he came home sick.”
Ms. Ratoto described the toll drugs took on his life, including how family members reported seeing him resorting to needles in an attempt to escape his pain.
“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 behaviour. We were scared,” she recounted.
She vividly remembered the heartbreaking moment when police took her son, who was critically ill. “I had to rush to get him out, but he was in dire condition. When I took him to the hospital, he couldn’t even 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. Please, before you get entangled, don’t take that path. Run away from places or friends that lead to death.”
During the funeral, relatives emphasized the importance of raising awareness among parents and guardians about the dangers their children face. Last week, Assistant Minister for Women, Children, and Social Protection, Sashi Kiran, revealed that while visiting wheelbarrow boys in Nadi, she learned that eight had died from alleged drug overdoses this year.
“They have agreed to have consultations and training to assist them with de-addiction, financial literacy, and reintegration into work life,” Ms. Kiran stated, adding that there are also proposals for cooperative work. “The Ministry of Youth and Sports is committed to working with these young men to help them find a better life. We will continue to support those living on the streets in finding a better future.”
Dr. Luisa Cikamatana, chief medical advisor of the Ministry of Health, acknowledged the situation in Fiji regarding drug abuse. Although she did not have specific statistics on young deaths linked to drugs, she highlighted the significant dangers posed by these substances.
“Drugs can introduce harmful poisons or bacteria into a person’s bloodstream, which are very dangerous,” Dr. Cikamatana explained. She noted that mixing drugs could result in severe seizures and behavioral issues, complicating medical assessments. “We must thoroughly evaluate each case during physical examinations and look beyond the usual causes. When patients come in, we conduct tests to identify toxins in their blood, relying heavily on their medical history and physical exams.”
Dr. Cikamatana also expressed concerns about the increase in HIV and other infectious diseases related to drug use. “There is an anti-narcotics strategy in place, with a focus on implementing measures to reduce the supply of drugs. Our approach centers on harm reduction as part of this effort.”