Leslie Tikotikoca told a roomful of young people at a Fiji Council of Churches Easter youth program that faith and family carried him through the darkest hours after a life‑changing injury that resulted in an amputation. Speaking at the event’s “Faith, Family and Drugs” session, Tikotikoca used his personal story as a warning against despair and drug use and as an example of how making a conscious choice to turn to God can reshape a life.
“Life was not easy for me,” he said, describing the physical, mental and spiritual pain that followed his injury. He told the youths gathered that his troubles pushed him to a crossroads: he could either let his circumstances destroy him or seek strength in his faith. “I had to choose whether I was going to let my situation destroy me or turn to God for strength,” he said, urging others to choose the latter.
Tikotikoca stressed the practical pillars that helped him recover: steadfast faith, the support of family and deliberate, wise choices. He warned bluntly about the false comfort of drugs. “Drugs will not solve your problems; it will only make things worse,” he said, adding that young people should listen to their families because “they want the best for you.” His closing message — “God has a purpose for everyone, no matter what you are going through” — brought the focus back to resilience and hope.
Organisers said the “Faith, Family and Drugs” session aimed to address rising social concerns around substance misuse by connecting personal testimony with pastoral and community support. Tikotikoca’s testimony — vivid in its description of loss and recovery — was one of the programme’s most direct appeals to young people to reject negative influences and stay grounded in their beliefs. Attendees told organisers the testimony struck a chord, serving as a tangible example of how faith communities can frame recovery beyond law enforcement.
The session comes as faith groups have increasingly been enlisted in broader national efforts to confront drug problems. In March, the government urged a whole‑of‑nation response to Fiji’s worsening drug crisis, saying enforcement alone would not be sufficient and highlighting the vital role of community and faith organisations in prevention and awareness campaigns. Tikotikoca’s appearance at the Easter programme underlines how local churches are translating that call into community‑level engagement with youths.
Easter services across the Western Division this year combined worship with public outreach; organisers said celebrations ranged from stage productions of the biblical tale to street marches through Lautoka City, providing an opportunity for churches to both celebrate the Resurrection and raise awareness on social issues. The Fiji Council of Churches event fused those elements — spiritual teaching, creative performance and candid discussion — in an effort to reach young people where they are.
Tikotikoca’s account added a personal, lived‑experience voice to the conversation about drugs and recovery in Fiji. By publicly recounting his journey from injury and loss to renewed purpose, he offered an example of transformation many organisers hope will echo beyond the Easter programme and into wider community and family networks.
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