Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Professor Biman Prasad, has highlighted the severe impact of drug use on individuals, families, and communities in Fiji. During the Vodafone GoldnWater Carnival at Garvey Park, Tavua, he emphasized the potential devastation drugs can bring to the nation if not actively resisted.
The government has established a National Drug and Narcotics Strategy and is enhancing support for the Police Force and related agencies to combat the spread and consequences of drug use. Prasad urged young individuals and those involved with drugs, whether through use or supply, to reject drug involvement.
He warned that drugs not only threaten personal well-being but also jeopardize family connections, productivity, and the overall social and economic stability of the country. Drawing on global examples, he noted the disastrous effects hard drugs have had on nations, leading to the destruction of families and lives.