Muniappa Gounder, general secretary of the Fiji Teachers Union, is calling on school managements to conduct spot checks as part of a comprehensive approach to combatting illegal drug use among students. He underscored the need for vigilance and encouraged parents to actively monitor what their children bring to school.
His remarks follow an incident last week in which primary school students were reported to the police for allegedly smoking marijuana. Gounder noted, “Parents need to check what their children are taking to school.” He urged that regular spot checks be carried out to ensure all items are scrutinized, thereby identifying prohibited substances and fostering a culture that highlights the consequences of drug possession on school grounds.
He raised concerns about the increasing number of drug-related incidents, asserting, “There are so many cases, yet nothing significant is being done. Spot checks are crucial in this fight.” Gounder also called for greater engagement from local law enforcement to promote awareness within schools. He stated, “Disciplined forces should actively patrol schools to educate students about the dangers of drug use.”
He emphasized that drug awareness initiatives should not be confined to a single week but should instead be part of ongoing efforts. Gounder highlighted the critical role of education, arguing that school and community focus should prioritize informing children about the harmful effects of drugs.
Leave a comment