The Minister for Education in Fiji, Aseri Radrodro, has stated that resolving the issue of drug use in schools will take time and cannot be achieved quickly. His comments followed reports of students found with smoking devices during a recent athletics event in Suva.
Radrodro emphasized that drug-related challenges are social issues that extend beyond the school environment. He remarked, “It’s a community issue, and everybody needs to put their hands together.” He noted that for students caught with drugs in schools, there are processes in place to handle the situation appropriately.
With over 200,000 students enrolled in schools, the minister highlighted efforts to introduce drug testing kits, although he acknowledged that these initiatives are still a work in progress. He stressed the necessity for collaboration among various ministries and departments, proposing the formation of a task force to tackle drug use among students.
Radrodro warned that finding a solution would not be immediate and would require ongoing efforts involving the Ministry of Education, school management, parents, guardians, community leaders, and other stakeholders. “It is an effort that will need everyone’s collaboration and participation,” he stated.