With the new 2023 academic year beginning today, the Fiji Police Narcotics Bureau has urged parents to talk to their children about the dangers of illicit drugs.
Police said last year, they recorded 33 drug-related cases involving primary and secondary school students, the youngest a 13-year-old.
“We do hope that when talking to your children, these issues will be discussed at length,” Police said.
“We have a shared responsibility as parents, guardians, community leaders, religious denomination leaders, village elders to nurture our children.
“This includes the monitoring of their activities, behaviour and who they associate themselves with.”
Police have urged communities to work with them with the common goal to protect children from “being lured and trapped by selfish illicit drug peddlers who live amongst us”.
