Cabinet develops new law on sale of inhalents

Cabinet has approved the development of a new law that will control the sale or supply of substances commonly abused by young people.

This includes volatile substances also known as inhalants and solvents like glue, benzine, correction fluids, thinner, polish removers and paint removers.

Cabinet based the decision on a submission by the Education Minister, Filipe Bole.

Bole said while there are laws such as the Tobacco Control Act 1998, the Illicit Drug Control Act 2004 and the Liquor Act 2006, there is no provision in the Crimes Decree to control the sale or supply of legal but dangerous substances.

He said substances for sniffing are both readily available and cheap in Fiji stores.

Bole said the lack of a law and concerns about the detrimental effects on the health of young people has been raised by school administrators, parents, the media, the members of the National Substance Abuse Advisory Council and the general public during consultation meetings in the past two years.

He reveals that some Principals have even approached shop owners in their localities to request their support not to sell substances such as glue to the students.

The Minister said the development of a Substance Abuse Decree will contribute effectively to the achievement of the Drugs and Substance Abuse policy goal.


Story by: Vijay Narayan