A grieving mother, Melesi Ratoto, has made a heartfelt plea to the public to stay away from drugs after losing her 26-year-old son, Ratunaisa Noeh Bill Vatunaruku, to drug-related complications just two weeks ago. Ms. Ratoto laid her son to rest in Votualevu, Nadi, last Wednesday and is now speaking out as an advocate against illicit drug use in hopes of preventing similar tragedies.
Medical professionals informed Ms. Ratoto that her son’s excessive substance abuse had severely damaged his internal organs, including his kidneys and liver. “They told me his organs were destroyed by excessive drug use,” she shared. She urged others to avoid getting trapped in addiction, stressing the importance of steering clear of environments and peers that could lead to such a fate.
Having witnessed the destructive effects of hard drugs on her son, Ms. Ratoto bravely recounted her experience. After her husband passed away two years ago, she faced the challenge of raising their children alone. “Despite all the love and advice I gave Naisa, he chose his own path,” she reflected, expressing her continual prayers for him until he came home gravely ill.
She shared how family members reported that he had turned to using needles to cope with his pain. “He would act unusually—walking out of the room without clothes, lost in his own world,” she recalled. The situation escalated to the point where they had to involve law enforcement due to his erratic behavior.
The mother described the gut-wrenching moment when police were called after her son fell 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. Losing a son to drugs is an unimaginable pain,” she said, emphasizing her hopes that her loss could serve as a cautionary tale to others tempted by drug use.
At her son’s funeral, relatives aimed to raise awareness among parents about the importance of keeping their children safe from drugs. Meanwhile, Assistant Minister for Women, Children and Social Protection, Sashi Kiran, noted that eight young wheelbarrow boys in Nadi had reportedly died from drug overdoses this year. Ms. Kiran mentioned plans for consultations and training to assist these individuals with de-addiction, financial literacy, and reintegration into society.
Dr. Luisa Cikamatana, chief medical advisor at the Ministry of Health, addressed the ongoing issue of youth deaths linked to illicit drug use. She highlighted the dangers posed by harmful chemicals entering the bloodstream and the complications that arise from mixing substances. Additionally, she noted rising cases of HIV and other infectious diseases related to drug use, pointing out that efforts are underway to implement harm reduction strategies as part of an anti-narcotics plan.