A new rehabilitation centre for vulnerable children is set to provide a lifeline for young people caught in cycles of drug abuse, trauma and homelessness, with the Government aiming to intervene before they come into conflict with the law.
Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony for the Veivakacokotaki facility yesterday, Minister for Women, Children and Social Protection Sashi Kiran said it would focus on rehabilitating at-risk children and helping them successfully reintegrate into their families, schools and communities.
“What we are building now is we are hoping children do not get in conflict with law,” Ms Kiran said.
“A lot of our children are on the streets, they may do petty crime, they generally get involved in illicit substance abuse and glue sniffing and that is our challenge.”
She said experience had shown that rehabilitation was critical before children could return to school or vocational training.
“We realised without rehabilitation, they just fall off or their bad habits influence others as well.”
The transitional facility will accommodate up to 24 adolescent boys, with rehabilitation programmes ranging from six weeks to six months depending on individual needs, including treatment for addiction, trauma and other health challenges.
Minister for Health and Medical Services Dr Atonio Lalabalavu said the centre would strengthen national efforts to address the growing impact of drugs and HIV among young people.
He said the Health Ministry would work alongside the Ministry of Women, Children and Social Protection to ensure vulnerable children receive the specialised care and support needed to rebuild their lives.
