The Fiji Police has reported that out of 207,000 students in Fiji, 3,519 cases (1.7%) involve students engaged in both licit and illicit drug use. This statistic was presented by the Permanent Secretary of Education, Selina Kuruleca, during a session on the Ministry’s 2022 Audit Report on the Social Services Sector, held before the Public Accounts Committee.
Kuruleca noted that a significant 98 percent (about 202,860) of the student population has not participated in drug use. The Ministry aims to raise this number to 99 percent over the next year by implementing effective policies and fostering better collaboration with stakeholders.
Furthermore, Kuruleca mentioned that discussions in March 2024 were held with the Fiji Police Dog Unit to conduct random drug checks in larger schools or those identified as high-risk areas; however, the Police indicated they could not provide this support to the Ministry.
An existing agreement with the Police focuses on ensuring drug-free environments during major sporting events like the Fiji Finals Competition and DEANS Competition, where both children and adults gather. In some instances, individuals have been arrested for possession of illicit substances at these events.
Kuruleca emphasized the need for stakeholders to adopt creative strategies to address the growing issue. For the first time, the Ministry of Education has initiated a Stakeholders Taskforce with its partners to establish clear indicators and create an Action Plan.
“It was time to act and enough talking,” Kuruleca stated. The newly formed Stakeholder Taskforce is scheduled to reconvene in eight weeks.