Fiji Police have reported 3,519 cases of students involved in either licit or illicit drug use, representing 1.7% of the total 207,000 students in the country. This information was shared by Selina Kuruleca, the Permanent Secretary of Education, during a presentation on the Ministry’s 2022 Audit Report to the Public Accounts Committee.
Kuruleca emphasized that 98% of students, amounting to 202,860, have not engaged in drug use, and the Ministry aims to raise this figure to 99% within the next year through effective policies and enhanced collaboration with stakeholders.
In March 2024, the Ministry initiated discussions with the Fiji Police Dog Unit regarding random drug checks in larger schools or those located in high-risk areas; however, Kuruleca noted that the Police were unable to provide this support. She mentioned that the agreement with the Police was to ensure a drug-free environment at major sporting events, such as the Fiji Finals Competition and the DEANS Competition, where both children and adults gather. There have been instances where the Police have made arrests for possession of illegal drugs at these events.
The Permanent Secretary stated that stakeholders need to adopt creative solutions to address this escalating issue. For the first time, the Ministry of Education organized a Stakeholders Taskforce with its partners to establish clear indicators and develop an Action Plan.
“It was time to act and enough talking,” Kuruleca remarked, highlighting the urgency of the situation. The newly formed Stakeholder Taskforce plans to reconvene in eight weeks.