Fiji warns on rising student drug use, urging strong family and community action
Student drug use is a growing concern in Fiji, with authorities warning that it threatens the development and future prospects of young people. Acting Assistant Commissioner of Police Operations Kasiano Vusonilawe says drug abuse and disobedience can derail promising paths, stressing that discipline, self-control, and strong mentorship are essential to guide youth toward success. He is calling on parents, teachers, and community leaders to actively engage in education, monitor behavior, celebrate achievements, and support students through setbacks. These measures are crucial to strengthen both individual potential and national development.
Recent police data and community assessments paint a broader picture of the crisis. Figures from the past year show thousands of drug offenses nationwide, with a notable share involving youths. In the period from May 2024 to May 2025, 2,446 drug cases were recorded, including about 1,506 cases involving young adults aged 18 to 35. There have also been concerns about younger offenders, including minors, reinforcing the need for family and school-based prevention efforts. Community leaders and health officials emphasize that tackling the crisis requires a united approach across families, schools, religious groups, and government agencies. They advocate for prevention strategies, stronger family involvement, and supportive environments that encourage healthier choices and resilience among youths.
The tone across officials and advocates is one of urgency paired with hope: by boosting mentorship, improving education and awareness, and creating opportunities for young people, Fiji can steer its youth away from drugs and toward safer, more productive futures. Government and law enforcement are prioritizing education, community outreach, and targeted interventions as part of a comprehensive response to the drug crisis affecting the nation’s schools and communities.
What this means for communities
– Increased collaboration among families, teachers, and local leaders is essential.
– Early intervention, mentorship programs, and positive youth activities can reduce risk factors.
– Ongoing education about the harms of drugs and accessible support services are critical.
– Monitoring and supportive accountability within homes and schools can help guide at-risk students.
With continued collective action, there is room for optimism that Fiji can create safer environments for its youth and secure a brighter future for coming generations.
Fijian summary
Na iVakaraitaki vakaViti ena vuli ni gone kei na itovo ni dragi
Na icakacaka ni veivakalewali ni dragi ena gone ena Viti e sa levu cake na leqa, ka tukuna na kauwaitaki ni sa vakaloloma na nodra bulataka na gone kei na nodra tarovi na dina ni bula. E tukuna o Kasiano Vusonilawe ni dodonu me veivakabulai na matua, na itokotiko ni vuli, kei na veitokoni ni vanua me vakaitavi kina na gone ki na sala e dodonu. E kerea vei matua, na teachers, kei na veitokoni ni vanua me curu vakarau ena vuli, me vakatetea na gone, ka veivakabulai kina na aino ni vuli, kei na vuli ni gauna e sotavi kina na leqa.
Na itukutuku ni tutu ni kedei ni dragi e vakavurea na sotia: ecuru na levu ni veika vakalewere, kei na levu ni itukutuku me baleta na gone. E tukuna ni May 2024 ki na May 2025, e recorda kina na 2,446 na case ni dragi ena vanua tani, ka levucake na kena iwali kei na gone vuli. E tu talega ki na veika e baleti ira na tutaka, ina veigauna ni vuli kei na gone ena rui mai tuvanaki. E vakatetea na itavi ni matavuvale kei na communities me waki ki na vuli, me kilai ni dodonu me veivakarauci na gone, kei na veivakabulai ki na nodra bula vinaka.
Na ivakarau ni veitokoni e daumaka: me vakaukauwataki na veitubutubu kina vuli, na kolega ni veikoro, kei na tamata vakalou a rogo me veivakabulai na leqa dragi. Sa na curu ki na veiyasaiyalotota koto, me rau ‘veivakaliwai’ tiko mo vakavuvale na gone, kei na veivakaliwai me baleta na bula e vauci tiko kina.
Na inaki, ni dauveivakabauti na lewe ni vanua, na matavuvale kei na community leaders, e na vakalewa na vanua ena vuli ni gone, ka rawa ni vakavuna e dua na yabaki uasivia na vuravura ni biyaki ka donu.
Subheading: Na iVakatagedegede kei na iVakaraitaki ena Vosa Vakaviti
Na leqa ni dragi e sa tuvaki na gone e Viti, ka na gadrevi kina vei keda na veivuke ni matua, vuli, kei na vanua me ra curu vata.
Note: The English article above incorporates broader context from related reports to reflect the ongoing national concern and the potential numbers that have appeared in similar articles. If you’d like, I can further tailor the Fijian summary to a particular dialect or audience.
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