THE Catholic Church is stepping boldly into the frontlines of Fiji’s drug battle, taking a grassroots approach in getting its message straight to the young people most at risk.
Archbishop Peter Loy Chong said the Church would be rolling out a series of dynamic initiatives designed to empower youth leaders and spread awareness across communities.
The first major workshop is set for April 19, targeting Catholic youths in the Central and Eastern divisions.
“We’re training leaders who will then take the message back to their parish and village,” Archbishop Chong said.
He said the church planned to fund the initiative through voluntary soli at all its parishes, while also seeking sponsorships.
The church is also keen to bring other faiths on board.
“We hope to invite other churches and faiths. We will extend an invitation to them.”
Earlier workshops, including one at Studio 6 in Suva, were limited to Christian participants.
The archbishop aims for broader interfaith collaboration through the Fiji Council of Churches, stressing the importance of connecting with young people where they are.
“You have to use social media to reach out to young people,” he said, pointing to a youth-led video on Facebook as an example.
A music festival is also planned for August, designed to educate school students about drugs in a fun, engaging way.
Archbishop Chong said tackling Fiji’s drug crisis required more than laws — it needed creativity, community engagement, and faith-led unity.
