Out of 207,000 students in Fiji, the Fiji Police has reported 3,519 cases, accounting for 1.7% of students involved in legal and illegal drug use. This was presented by Permanent Secretary of Education Selina Kuruleca during a report on the Ministry’s 2022 Audit Report on the Social Services Sector to the Public Accounts Committee.
Kuruleca noted that 98% of students, or 202,860 individuals, have not engaged in drug use, and the Ministry aims to raise this figure to 99% in the coming year through effective policies and improved collaboration with stakeholders.
Additionally, discussions were held in March 2024 with the Fiji Police Dog Unit regarding random drug checks in larger schools or those located in high-risk areas; however, Kuruleca mentioned that the Police were unable to provide this support.
She highlighted that there was an agreement with the Police to ensure a drug-free environment during significant sporting events, such as the Fiji Finals Competition and DEANS Competition, where congregations of children and adults occur. In some instances, police have made arrests for drug possession at these events.
Kuruleca emphasized the need for stakeholders to adopt innovative approaches to address the growing issue of drug use among students. For the first time, the Ministry of Education convened a Stakeholders Taskforce with partners to create clear indicators and develop a comprehensive action plan.
“It was time to act and enough talking,” she asserted. The newly formed Stakeholder Taskforce plans to reconvene in eight weeks to continue its efforts.