A troubling trend has emerged in Fiji, with a significant increase in the number of young individuals testing positive for Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). In the last month alone, 57 young patients at Saint Giles Psychiatric Hospital in Suva were diagnosed with HIV, raising alarms about the urgent need for intervention. This includes a concerning case involving a 14-year-old child.
During a recent presentation, Selina Kuruleca, the new Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Justice, shared these alarming statistics while discussing the escalating issue of drug abuse in schools. Consultant psychiatrist Myrielle Allen had previously highlighted this data, indicating that as of September, 1.7 percent of 3,519 young Fijians were involved in drug-related incidents—a number that Ms. Kuruleca noted is still too high.
Further data from the Substance Abuse Advisory Council revealed 3,627 drug-related incidents in Fijian schools, with 1,578 occurring in primary schools and 2,049 in secondary schools. This marks a staggering 40 percent increase in drug cases since 2018. A particularly dangerous trend among students includes the practice of “blue-toothing,” which involves sharing needles and thereby increasing the risk of HIV transmission.
Ms. Kuruleca underscored the distressing impact of drug abuse on families and communities, sharing instances where parents have exploited their children for drug trafficking and coerced women into prostitution to fund drug habits. She called for urgent, compassionate action to ensure that young Fijians feel supported in making positive life choices.
This public health crisis extends beyond health concerns; it is a societal challenge that requires immediate attention to safeguard the future of Fiji’s youth. In her remarks, Kalesi Volatabu, founder of Drug Free World Fiji, emphasized the need to break the “culture of bystanders” that allows the drug crisis to persist. She urged the community to speak out against drug use and take proactive steps to protect young people, emphasizing that passive observation is no longer an option.
With rising HIV cases linked to drug abuse, the urgency for comprehensive action and community involvement has never been clearer. The situation calls for a united response to ensure the health and safety of Fiji’s youth, urging all citizens to take a stand against drug-related issues in their neighborhoods.
In summary, while the statistics are alarming and indicative of a pressing crisis, they also serve as a call to action. The commitment of the community and government to tackle drug abuse and its repercussions can pave the way for a healthier, more supportive environment for the younger generation. Together, proactive measures can foster resilience and hope among youth, encouraging them to choose paths free from the shadows of addiction and disease.
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