The affordability and accessibility of drugs are no longer a barrier for youths, with many pooling money to purchase illegal substances.

Substance Abuse Advisory Council (SAAC) representative Josua Nasele raised this concern during his presentation at the Fiji Teachers Registration Authority (FHTRA) and Ministry of Education Congress at the Sofitel Fiji Resort and Spa in Nadi this week when he spoke about illegal drugs such as cannabis, methamphetamine, cocaine, and heroin.

“A lot of cases of illegal drugs, sometimes when the price is high, they put in,” he said.

“If one sachet of meth is $50, they normally put in $10 each or $5 each, and then they share the product.”

He also pointed out the role of technology in facilitating drug dealings among youths.

“We have had cases where students use mobile phones to communicate with their friends, even with dealers, so they can access these drugs.”

He added that suki, a locally available substance, was another concern, as many parents openly used it at home in front of their children.

“Children see these types of substances and drugs that they use and abuse in our local communities, and they’re thinking that it is normal, so they do what they see.”

Mr Nasele said the SAAC was working with the Education Ministry to increase the number of counsellors in schools.

“We’re trying to use the capacity to ensure that these big schools have at least one full-time professional counsellor.”