Assistant Commissioner of Police-Operations Livai Driu is urging parents and guardians to always inspect their children’s bags before they leave home. This advice comes in light of an incident where four primary school students were reportedly found smoking marijuana during an athletics meet at Suva’s National Stadium this week. The students, who are in years 6, 7, and 8, were found with a smoking device in a washroom and were subsequently referred to security officials at the venue before the police were contacted.
ACP Driu emphasized the importance of parental involvement, stating, “Parents have every right to check their bags; they need to be responsible given the current situation we are in. They should check their bags before leaving their homes.” He noted that this message is especially crucial during primary school games taking place across the country.
Following the incident, ACP Driu mentioned that the parents of the involved students were notified, and the students received counseling regarding the implications of their actions. He stressed that the Fiji Police Force is encouraging parents and guardians to consistently guide their children, as they are at a stage in life where experimentation is common. Without proper guidance, children may turn to sources that do not prioritize their well-being, potentially leading them astray.