The Education Ministry in Fiji has called on the K9 units of the Fiji Police Force to conduct random checks at schools to address the issue of drug use among students. During a Parliamentary Committee meeting discussing the 2022 audit report on the Social Services Sector, permanent secretary Selina Kuruleca mentioned that the ministry seeks to station K9 units in schools located in high-risk areas, although she noted the units currently lack the capacity for such operations.
Kuruleca explained that an agreement has been established with the Fiji Police to have K9 units present at major sporting events attended by children, such as the Fiji finals and the Deans competition, where large groups of children and adults gather.
Recent statistics indicate that only 1.7 percent of students reported using licit or illicit drugs, suggesting that the overwhelming majority, approximately 98 percent, have not engaged in drug use.
Last week, the ministry held its first stakeholder task force meeting, involving 75 representatives from various organizations, far exceeding their initial invitation to 45 participants. Kuruleca emphasized the importance of collaboration among different ministries to develop a cohesive action plan. She expressed gratitude for the existing counternarcotics strategy and highlighted the necessity of deeper involvement with community partners to effectively combat drug issues.