The Bua Provincial Council will tackle the issue of illicit drugs in their upcoming meeting later this month. According to council chairman Sitiveni Lalibuli, the country’s drug problem is a significant agenda item.
“We have been addressing the issue of drugs from the grassroots level — village, district, and provincial levels,” said Mr. Lalibuli. “We plan to raise awareness during the meeting, and we have invited the Fiji Police Force to provide more information.”
Mr. Lalibuli emphasized that in addition to a multi-sectoral approach to the problem, promoting family values and parental responsibility is crucial in combating the drug crisis.
“Parents should be actively aware of their roles and responsibilities. Prioritizing family values and family time is essential. Bad parenting often stems from parents not being aware of their roles and responsibilities from the start. It could also be influenced by the lifestyle led by parents and its impact on their children.”
Mr. Lalibuli noted that the lack of parental responsibility could be linked to changes brought about by modernisation. “The prevalence of mobile internet has resulted in parents being constantly on their phones. This negligence has led to cases where children are injured, and in some instances, to loss of life. Parents must be aware of the crucial role they play in raising their children.”