The National Substance Abuse Advisory Council has classified yaqona as a drug because after consuming it, a person feels, thinks, acts and speaks differently.
Council's Education Officer Talica Malani said that while youngsters are being told to stay away from alcohol, cigarettes and marijuana, many overlook grog thinking it is not really a drug.
The council is currently visiting schools around Fiji creating awareness on ‘drug abuse’ and ‘violence against girls and women’.
They are coming out strongly on letting children know that yaqona is a drug and it should not be consumed by them.
Story by: Khusboo Singh
