Villagers in Tavua expressed their enthusiastic backing for a proposal aimed at designating schools as protected zones while granting legal authority to teachers for the search of students’ belongings, a move intended to tackle the escalating drug trade infiltrating educational institutions.
The proposal was articulated by Biu Matavou, a consultant for the Proposed Narcotics Bill, during a public consultation on the Counter Narcotics Bill held in Tavualevu Village. Mr. Matavou referenced alarming statistics provided by the Substance Abuse Advisory Council, which indicated that around 3,600 students were implicated in drug-related incidents last year.
He underscored the seriousness of the issue within the school environment, revealing that some students resort to carrying marijuana in their backpacks to sell to their peers. This stark reality has prompted a call for decisive action within educational facilities.
During the meeting, Mr. Matavou sought input from the community regarding the proposal to establish schools as secured spaces to hinder drug dealers, as well as the necessity of empowering teachers by law to conduct searches. “I just wanted to get your views on that,” he said, inviting community feedback.
Local resident Maleli Bari voiced his endorsement of the initiative, pointing out that the drug epidemic has become a pervasive concern affecting many prominent institutions throughout the nation. Mr. Bari further supported the idea of equipping teachers with formal authority to inspect students’ bags, aiming to uphold drug-free environments in schools.
This initiative indicates a community-ready approach to confronting the challenges posed by drug abuse among youth, fostering a safer educational environment for students. By engaging villagers in this discussion, there is a strong potential for collaborative efforts to effectively address the drug crisis affecting schools.
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