A grieving mother has made an emotional appeal against drug use after losing her 26-year-old son to complications from drug abuse. Melesi Ratoto laid her son, Ratunaisa Noeh Bill Vatunaruku, to rest in Votualevu, Nadi, two weeks ago.
Determined to prevent others from facing the same tragedy, Ms. Ratoto is now advocating against illicit drugs. Medical professionals informed her that her son’s excessive drug use had severely damaged his internal organs. “They told me his kidneys and liver were damaged, his organs were destroyed by excessive drug use,” she shared.
Ms. Ratoto’s voice was filled with emotion as she urged others to steer clear of drugs and avoid harmful influences. Having seen firsthand the devastating impact of drugs on her son’s life, she bravely relayed her experiences, recalling that her husband had passed away two years before, leaving her to raise their children alone.
“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,” Ms. Ratoto lamented. She often questioned her parenting choices and why her son turned to criminal activities and drugs. “I never stopped praying for him, until the day he came home sick.”
She recounted the toll that drugs took on her son’s life, mentioning family reports that he resorted to using needles to cope with 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 behavior. We were scared.”
Ms. Ratoto vividly recalled the heartbreaking moment when police took her critically ill son away. “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.” She expressed hope that her story could serve as a warning to young people. “Please, before you get entangled, don’t take that path. Run away from places or friends that lead to death.”
At the funeral, relatives emphasized the need for parents and guardians to protect their children from the dangers of drugs. Meanwhile, Assistant Minister for Women, Children and Social Protection Sashi Kiran revealed that eight young wheelbarrow workers had died from suspected drug overdoses this year. “We will continue to consult and support those living on the streets to find a better life,” Kiran stated.
Dr. Luisa Cikamatana, chief medical advisor of the Ministry of Health, acknowledged the harsh reality of drug abuse in Fiji. While lacking specific statistics on youth fatalities linked to drug use, she pointed out the serious risks posed by substances entering the bloodstream. “They can introduce harmful poisons or bacteria which are very dangerous,” she said, adding that mixing drugs can lead to unpredictable and harmful effects.
Dr. Cikamatana also raised concern about the rising incidence of HIV and other infectious diseases associated with drug use. She highlighted the government’s anti-narcotics strategy, emphasizing a focus on harm reduction efforts as part of their initiatives to tackle the issue.