Children caught in drug–related cases must be treated as vulnerable and at risk, not simply as offenders, Justice Minister Siromi Turaga said yesterday.
Speaking at the launch of a four–year drug prevention initiative led by UNICEF and funded by Japan, Mr Turaga said the program would help strengthen diversion pathways and community support systems.
“As when children are involved, our first focus is always on protection. Children who are using drugs are not simply offenders; they are children at risk of harm,” Mr Turaga said.
He said some children involved in drug–related situations may themselves be victims of exploitation.
“These numbers are not just statistics. They represent young lives at risk,” he said, referring to rising reports of drug use in schools and communities.
Mr Turaga said Fiji would continue to take a strong stance on trafficking and serious drug offences, but the justice response for children needed to prioritise prevention and early identification.
“Where appropriate, we must use diversions to keep children out of detention and connect them to family support, counselling, psychological services and education pathways,” he said.
“Detention should always remain a last resort for children.”
He said the new initiative would support the rollout of the Child Justice Act 2024 by translating legal provisions into practical services and ensuring no child is left to navigate risk alone.
