Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Professor Biman Prasad has called for a united national front to confront Fiji’s growing drug crisis, warning it poses a serious threat to communities, families, and the country’s future.
Speaking during a talanoa session with members of the Fiji Council of Social Services yesterday, Prof Prasad described drug abuse as a “huge national threat” not only to families and communities, but also to the economy.
“I think, the issue of drugs, this is something that all of us have to fight it out,” he said.
“It is a huge national threat to our wellbeing, to our security, and this message must go to all our children, our youth, that getting into drugs means you are destroying yourself, you are destroying your parents, you are destroying your village, you are destroying your settlement, you are destroying your communities, you are destroying the country.”
He urged parents and families to take more responsibility for monitoring young people and their social environments.
“Our women, our mothers, our sisters — everyone, and it’s also incumbent upon the men in the family to take additional measures to caution, to ensure that you check on your children, you check on what’s happening, because that is something that is destroying our communities and our potential.”
The minister’s remarks come amid mounting concern over drug-related crime, addiction, and health risks in Fiji.
Civil society groups, schools and healthcare workers have been vocal in calling for stronger action, education, and support services.
In response, the 2025–2026 National Budget includes major law enforcement and public health measures, such as the recruitment of 1000 new police officers and a $10 million allocation for HIV response.
