1,508 primary school students and 1,635 secondary school students were found with drugs last year, an increase by 2.4 percent.
While responding to a written question by Opposition MP Hem Chand, Education Minister Aseri Radrodro says the increase in the numbers indicate the reported cases at the Counselling Hubs which were opened from 2023 to 2025 at Natabua High School, Labasa College, Levuka Public School and Nasinu Secondary School.
He says cases were also reported to the Child Protection Officers and the Counsellors in school.
Radrodro says most of the cases in schools are formally reported to the Counselling Hubs from school as compared to previous years which were referred to Substance Abuse Advisory Council Office.
He says the overall data indicates that a small percentage, which is less than 2 percent of students were involved in drug-related cases and this refers to the use of marijuana, suki, cigarette, vaping, alcohol and inhalant glue.
He notes that there are no reported cases on the use of methamphetamine in school.
Radrodro says the Ministry of Education, through the Substance Abuse Advisory Council and schools, not only records drug and substance-related incidents but also provides intervention support to students identified as using drugs to help them lead healthy lives.
He says the Ministry has School Drugs, Child Protection, Behaviour Management and Counselling Policies in place to guide teachers on standard procedures for addressing students involved in drug-related cases.
Radrodro says the Ministry also works with parents, Police, health authorities, the Child Welfare Unit, communities, faith-based organisations and other partners to address the issue of drugs.
He says preventive programmes include child protection training for teachers, student leaders and faith-based leaders on how to tackle drugs and other social issues affecting students.
Radrodro says awareness programmes are also carried out in schools and communities, while intervention programmes include psychosocial support, counselling and mentoring to ensure students affected by drugs receive proper professional guidance.
