Stay away from drugs, as they can have deadly consequences. This earnest warning comes from a grieving mother, Melesi Ratoto, who lost her 26-year-old son, Ratunaisa Noeh Bill Vatunaruku, to health complications stemming from severe illicit drug abuse just two weeks ago. Ms. Ratoto laid her son to rest in Votualevu, Nadi last Wednesday.
Now, resolute in her resolve to help others avoid a similar tragedy, she has emerged as an advocate against drug use. Medical professionals informed Ms. Ratoto that her son’s extensive drug use had inflicted severe damage to his kidneys and liver.
“They told me his kidneys and liver were damaged; his organs were destroyed by excessive drug use,” she said, her voice laden with sorrow. “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.
Having witnessed the harrowing impact of hard drugs on her son’s life, she recounted her struggles. Two years before her son’s passing, her husband died, leaving her to raise their children alone.
“Despite all the love and guidance I offered Naisa, he followed his own path. He constantly tested my love and patience,” Ms. Ratoto reflected. “I often questioned what I did wrong to drive him toward criminal activities and drugs. No matter where he went, I never ceased praying for him until the day he came home unwell.”
Ms. Ratoto described the anguish drugs brought into her family, sharing that relatives informed her he was resorting to needles to ease his suffering. “He exhibited unusual behavior—walking out of the room without clothes, completely lost in his own world. He would sleep for days, leaving me anxious. There were times we needed to call the police due to his actions. We were frightened.”
She recounted the heartbreaking moment when police had to intervene as her son lay critically ill. “I rushed to rescue him, but he was in terrible condition. When I took him to the hospital, he couldn’t even communicate. It broke my heart to see my son in that state. Losing a child to drugs is an unimaginable pain.”
“God has His plans, and perhaps this serves as a warning to youths and anyone tempted by hard drugs. Please, before you get entangled, don’t take that path. Stay away from places or friends that lead to destruction.”
At the funeral, family members emphasized the need to raise awareness among parents and guardians about protecting their children. Last week, Assistant Minister for Women, Children and Social Protection Sashi Kiran revealed during her visit to wheelbarrow boys in Nadi that eight of them had allegedly died from drug overdoses this year.
“They have agreed to participate in consultations and training aimed at supporting them with de-addiction, financial literacy, and reintegrating into productive work,” Ms. Kiran stated. “There are also suggestions to establish a co-operative. The Ministry of Youth and Sports is dedicated to working with these young men toward a better future. We will continue to consult and assist those living on the streets to discover a new path.”
Dr. Luisa Cikamatana, chief medical advisor of the Ministry of Health, acknowledged the grim reality in Fiji. While specific statistics on young deaths related to substance abuse were not available, she highlighted the serious dangers posed when harmful substances enter a person’s bloodstream.
“They can introduce harmful toxins or bacteria that are extremely dangerous,” Dr. Cikamatana explained. She noted that mixing drugs could lead to severe complications, such as seizures and behavioral problems, complicating diagnoses.
“When patients present themselves, we must conduct thorough evaluations, looking beyond the typical causes. We carry out tests to identify the toxins present in their system, relying significantly on medical history and physical examinations,” she said. Additionally, she expressed concern over the increasing rates of HIV and other infections tied to drug use.
“There is an anti-narcotics strategy in progress, with current efforts aimed at reducing drug supply. Our focus is on harm reduction as part of this initiative.”