Four primary school students have reportedly been caught smoking marijuana during a recent athletics event and have received counseling. Assistant Commissioner of Police Operations Livai Driu confirmed the incident, urging parents and guardians to engage in ongoing discussions about the serious effects of illicit drugs with their children.
During the event, the students were discovered with smoking paraphernalia in a washroom, prompting security officials to alert the police. ACP Driu noted that the students’ parents were notified, and the students were counseled regarding the repercussions of their behavior.
“The Fiji Police Force appeals to parents and guardians to regularly guide their children, especially during their experimental phases,” he stated. He warned that without consistent support, children may turn to unreliable sources for advice, potentially leading them astray.
In related news, Muniappa Goundar, general secretary of the Fiji Teachers Union, is advocating for an increase in the number of school counselors in light of this incident. He expressed concern over the current situation, emphasizing the vital role counselors play not only in academics but also in shaping behavior and fostering child development.
Goundar stressed that the presence of counselors in all schools is crucial, pointing out that there is only one counselor assigned to each division, which is an overwhelming workload given the number of schools. He also highlighted the importance of educating students about drugs and their detrimental effects, suggesting that such topics should be incorporated into the school curriculum.