Youth leaders from Naitasiri have sounded fresh alarm over a rising drug crisis, increasing HIV infections and chronic unemployment among young people, calling for a coordinated national response that links health, economic and community strategies. The concerns were raised by John William Tamani, president of the Naitasiri Provincial Youth Council, during the National Youth Council annual general meeting held at Naqarawai Village in Namosi last week.
Representing 16 districts and 91 villages, Tamani warned that the intersection of drug use and HIV has escalated into an urgent priority for the province and reflects a wider national trend that the Government has recognised as a public health emergency. “Naitasiri is not insulated from this,” he said, noting the province’s reach into peri-urban and urban centres such as Nasinu and parts of Suva where young people face heightened exposure to drugs and related risks. Tamani urged a “holistic approach” that brings together government agencies, faith-based organisations, communities and families to deliver consistent prevention messaging. “The more consistent the message, the more young people are aware of the dangers,” he said.
Unemployment emerged as a second, closely linked crisis. Tamani told delegates that limited access to formal and informal work is driving many youths to migrate to urban areas or, in some cases, into crime. He pressed for greater emphasis on income-generating projects and entrepreneurship at village level, arguing that economic stability at home would reduce risky migration. “If young people are financially stable, they can help themselves,” Tamani said, advocating for village-based opportunities that keep youth engaged and economically independent.
The Naitasiri experience also points to practical pathways forward. Tamani highlighted government-supported labour mobility schemes, including seasonal work and the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) programme, as models that have enabled rural youths to improve livelihoods. He said returning participants are investing in housing and family welfare and increasingly taking on leadership roles in their communities — a trend that links economic participation with civic responsibility and local development.
On governance, Tamani said youth voices are slowly being integrated into traditional and administrative structures. Young representatives are taking seats at provincial council meetings and subcommittees, allowing concerns to be channelled through established representatives even as formal youth inclusion in national chiefly institutions remains limited. “We’ve been behind the scenes, supporting our leaders and ensuring our issues are heard,” he said, pointing to gradual shifts toward more inclusive decision-making.
Community-led initiatives are also being rolled out to engage young people and generate income. Cooperative farming models, backed by government and non-government partnerships, aim to revive collective work systems while creating revenue. Investment in sports infrastructure and community competitions is providing alternative engagement channels, although Tamani noted gaps remain in access to dedicated facilities.
Tamani’s intervention at the National Youth Council AGM comes as national and international actors move to confront the drug and youth health crises; for example, a Japan-UNICEF alliance announced in March seeks to bolster support for children and adolescents affected by drug-related issues. For Naitasiri leaders, the latest development is a clear call for policy alignment with grassroots realities: sustained, cross-sector collaboration that combines prevention, economic opportunity and youth participation in governance. “The future we are talking about is ours,” Tamani said. “Everyone has a responsibility.”
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