The Fijian government is in the process of establishing its first Child Wellbeing Centre. Minister for Women, Children and Social Protection, Lynda Tabuya, mentioned that this initiative is funded by the government budget.
Tabuya highlighted that the centre will have a clinical aspect aimed at rehabilitating children struggling with drug addiction. She noted the importance of reintegrating these children into their families and communities.
“Many children turn to the streets due to their family’s inability to assist them. They often believe they pose a threat to their families because their drug-related behavior can be harmful,” Tabuya explained. She emphasized that while living on the streets, these children have easier access to drugs.
The goal of the Child Wellbeing Centre is to provide these children with a safe environment, with family consent, where they can undergo drug rehabilitation and eventually return home. The rehabilitation program is designed to last for one year.
Tabuya expressed gratitude towards Inspire Pacific, a non-governmental organization that has collaborated with the government to support the rehabilitation of juvenile offenders.
She acknowledged that drug abuse is a global issue and pointed out that Fiji serves as a transit point for drugs. “The drugs available on our market are often unaffordable for Fiji, as we are a conduit for larger developed countries nearby,” she stated.