Drug awareness programs must begin as early as Year 1 and Year 2, a stakeholder has urged, warning that narcotics-related activities are now affecting even the youngest students.
House of Sarah representative Josevata Waqalala made the suggestion during a consultation hosted by the Ministry of Policing in Nausori recently, where stakeholders discussed Fiji’s draft counter-narcotics framework and measures to strengthen the country’s response to drug trafficking and abuse.
“Not only in secondary schools, but also in the primary schools,” he said.
“Because trafficking of drugs now involves those in Class 1, Class 2.”
He said early education is critical as the drug problem continues to filter into communities and schools at alarming levels.
Mr Waqalala also highlighted youth unemployment as a contributing factor to drug vulnerability, noting that many young people are discouraged after repeatedly failing to secure jobs.
Constant rejection, he said, often leave youths frustrated and susceptible to negative peer pressure.
“Because once they apply for jobs, and when they are being told off, these are some of the things that discourage youths.”
Once discouraged, he said, they become vulnerable to peer pressure.
Mr Waqalala said young people are seeking practical solutions, including targeted employment opportunities.
“They are looking to solutions in terms of having a specific employment for young people.”
He also called for stronger border controls and community-level interventions to address the issue at its roots.
“So, I will leave it to you for the educating of this, just to tighten our borders, and perhaps work with the young people right now.”
The consultation was a platform for stakeholders to contribute their views toward shaping Fiji’s future counter-narcotics legislation.
