Members of the Bua Provincial Council will address the issue of illicit drugs in their upcoming meeting later this month.
Council chairman Sitiveni Lalibuli noted that the country’s drug problem is a major topic on the meeting’s agenda.
“We have been tackling the drug issue from the grassroots level — including village, district, and provincial levels,” said Lalibuli.
“Our plan is to raise awareness during the meeting, and we have invited the Fiji Police Force to provide more insight on the matter.”
Lalibuli emphasized that in addition to a multi-sectoral approach, it is essential to promote family values and parental responsibility to combat the drug crisis.
“Parents need to be fully aware of their roles and responsibilities,” he stated.
“Prioritizing family value and family time is crucial.”
He suggested that the problem might stem from inadequate parenting by those unaware of their roles and responsibilities from the start or from the lifestyle led by parents and its influence on their children.
Lalibuli added that the lack of parental responsibility could be linked to the inevitable changes of modernisation.
“With mobile internet, parents are often on their phones, neglecting their children,” he said.
“This negligence has resulted in children getting injured and, in some cases, losing their lives.”
“Parents must wake up and understand the crucial role they play in raising their children.”