The Education Ministry in Fiji has proposed that K9 units from the police force conduct random checks at schools to address the issue of drug use among students. Selina Kuruleca, the permanent secretary of the Education Ministry, informed a Parliamentary Committee that the ministry is seeking to have these units deployed in schools located in high-risk areas.
She noted that the police currently lack the resources to carry out this task on a regular basis. To compensate, an agreement has been made with the Fiji Police to have K9 units present at significant sporting events attended by children, such as the Fiji finals and the Deans competition, where large groups gather.
Kuruleca cited statistics indicating that only 1.7 percent of students have reported using drugs, whether legal or illegal, suggesting that the vast majority of students—about 98 percent—have not engaged in drug use.
Recently, the ministry held a stakeholder meeting involving various partners for the first time, which attracted representatives from 75 organizations, exceeding the initial invitation of 45 participants. The gathering aimed to foster collaboration among different ministries and establish a concrete action plan to tackle drug abuse in schools.
She emphasized the need for a coordinated approach, stating that in the past, efforts appeared disjointed, and now it is crucial to work closely with all partners to create a robust strategy against drug-related issues among students.