Thousands of students are expected to descend on Suva tomorrow for the three-day annual Coke Games, prompting an urgent safety warning from the National Substance Abuse Advisory Council (NSAAC) and an intensified law-enforcement presence across the capital. Acting chief executive Josua Naisele told schools and parents the influx places young competitors in a high-risk environment, with growing concerns about drug dealers targeting youth and the dangers posed by unsupervised accommodation.
Naisele urged parents to ensure they know exactly where their children will be staying, citing reports that some students are independently securing short-term rentals and hotel bookings. "Unsupervised accommodation increases vulnerability to unsafe behaviour and illicit activities," he said in a notice circulated to schools. He also recommended students travel with trusted companions, exchange contact details with guardians, and maintain regular communication while in Suva.
The warning comes amid reports that police have already recorded cases of youths found in possession of illicit substances in recent days. Naisele said the Fiji Police Force and the Republic of Fiji Military Forces have ramped up operations in the capital to target drug-related activities during the tournament, which draws thousands of secondary school athletes and support staff from across the country.
Statistics released by NSAAC underline the scale of the problem. In the 12 months leading up to last year's Coke Games, the council recorded 32 drug-related cases involving schoolchildren—12 linked to marijuana and two to methamphetamine. Officials also pointed to incidents dating back to early 2022 when two students were discovered with cocaine and marijuana on school premises. At recent consultations, teachers raised alarm that drug use is beginning to affect even primary school pupils, signaling a worrying trend toward younger initiation.
Teachers and school managers accompanying students have been specifically called on to exercise heightened vigilance during the event. Naisele emphasised that adult supervision at accommodation and competition venues is a key protective measure, and urged schools to vet any lodging arrangements and ensure there are responsible chaperones present overnight.
Organisers and authorities say the safety push is intended to keep the focus on sport. With multiple regional athletics and sporting events taking place nationwide, Naisele reminded families, coaches and officials that "safety must come first," and that preventing youth involvement in drugs requires cooperation between parents, schools and security forces.
As the Coke Games get under way, parents are being asked to treat accommodation plans and travel arrangements as seriously as training and competition schedules. Authorities have not detailed the specific tactics police and military will use during the intensified operations, but the combined message is clear: organisers want to ensure the championship remains a showcase of athletic talent rather than a flashpoint for drug-related harm.